Hopes city can develop more residential support for adults in social care

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Newport City Council hopes to “foster inclusion” by bringing more adults in care back to the city.

The local authority currently offers residential care to 208 adults who have learning disabilities – of whom 90 live outside Newport.

Out-of-county placements can prove to be significantly more expensive than local care because it offers more specialist or complex support.

A new report on independent living said the council is “working proactively to ensure people are able to live in Newport”.

The council acknowledged that some people in out-of-county residential care “live far from their family and friends”, and plans to offer “better local options for living arrangements”.

At a scrutiny committee meeting, on Tuesday, Cllr Debbie Jenkins asked whether there was a timeline to bring people back home.

“What we need to do first is enhance our provision in Newport,” replied Myfanwy Moran, the council’s head of adult services. “It’s really key to design the right provision.”

The council previously bought some properties across the city, intending to convert them for various care services, and Ms Moran said another two purchases are also on the cards.

However, the complexities of some care arrangements mean out-of-county placements may still prove to be the most suitable environment, the committee heard.

Cllr Stephen Marshall noted how some residents require residential care that is only provided in England.

He said the council was “never going to eliminate” all out-of-county placements.

Ms Moran also said “there will be some people who are in long stay provision who are very settled there and it may be their choice to stay”.

As a result, the new report describes the council policy as helping out-of-county residents “return home where appropriate”.