Derby City Council plans to create a new local supported living provision for young adults aged 18-25 living with learning disabilities, neurodiversity, or autism. The project, in partnership with an external service provider, aims to bridge a gap in local specialist provisions, enabling young people to transition successfully into adulthood.
The service will repurpose two former children’s homes to provide support for up to 12 individuals. The focus is on empowering residents to develop essential skills, maximise their potential, and ultimately move towards independent living.
The proposal to commission an external service provider to deliver, manage and operate the provision in close partnership with the Council will be discussed by Cabinet members at a meeting on Wednesday 6 August.
The Council is committed to enhancing adult social care in Derby by developing innovative care models. This includes integrating Technology-Enabled Care (TEC) to promote independence, improve safety, and provide reassurance to both individuals and their families. This can include a range of devices and apps, from basic community alarms and wearables to more advanced systems like fall detectors and remote monitoring.
Councillor Alison Martin, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, said:
This exciting initiative aims to enhance the lives of young adults with additional needs by fostering greater independence and facilitating a smooth transition into adulthood.
Collaborating with an external provider will enable us to strengthen supported living services in Derby, ensuring we deliver high-quality and sustainable solutions that genuinely promote independence.
Currently, Derby City Council supports 366 adults in various Supported Living settings, at an annual cost of approximately £21 million.
Looking ahead, the need for supported accommodation is expected to rise, with the 18-25 age group projected to increase from 13% to 18% of the younger adult population by 2030. Annually, the Council's Preparing for Adulthood team consistently supports around 40 new entrants to adult social care.
While some young adults currently need out-of-area placements, this project presents an opportunity to expand suitable options within Derby. Many individuals have said they’d prefer to live in the local area, so developing provision in the city will create a positive impact.