Barking and Dagenham Council is undertaking a comprehensive review of its supported housing provision with the aim of optimising existing stock and ensuring a more diverse range of options for residents.
The review, discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, is a key part of the council's Housing Strategy and its 'Fit for the Future' transformation programme. The overarching goal is to ensure residents can remain independent for longer, with appropriate support, and to prevent the escalation of needs. The 'Fit for the Future' programme aims to ensure services are sustainable, make effective use of Council resources, and support residents through appropriate, preventative, and enabling models of care and support, ultimately providing support earlier and improving outcomes.
Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, highlighted the improved cooperation between housing and adult social care teams, facilitated by the new Housing and Care Group. This collaboration is crucial for future-proofing the housing stock through preventative measures and the integration of care technology.
An external consultant was commissioned to assess the current supported housing provision against that of other boroughs and local demographics. The primary recommendation from this review is to optimise what you have already
before considering new developments. This involves making the best use of existing extra care housing, supported housing, general needs housing, and shelters housing, with the guiding principle being to sustain and maintain people in their current accommodation for as long as possible through adaptations, assistive technology, and support. This includes a focus on intermediate provision and models like cluster flats, where multiple individual flats are situated around a central communal area, allowing for both independence and accessible support.
John Knight, Director of Housing, described the review as a staging post
report, with the next steps involving detailed needs mapping and provision analysis. Proposals are expected to be developed for the Housing and Care Group and the Council's Change Board by January 2027. The review is in its early stages, and while it acknowledges the need to understand future demand and shape the local provider market, specific figures for the current waiting list or demand for supported housing were not provided. The council is exploring a unified needs assessment process and rationalizing assessment panels to improve the process of residents accessing housing, care, and support.
Discussions also touched upon the importance of adapting existing stock and ensuring a diverse range of provision to cater to residents throughout their lives. Councillor Dorothy Akwaboah emphasised the need for decisions on accommodation types to be driven by need and demand, advocating for a holistic approach to property development. This focus on diversity is driven by demographic trends, including Barking and Dagenham being the youngest borough in London with significant population churn. The council aims to cater to residents throughout their lives, supporting them to remain independent and reduce reliance on residential care. Specific needs being addressed include those of older adults with physical support needs or cognitive impairment, working-age adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs, or autism, and a growing number of working-age people with comorbidities and complex needs.
The council is also working to ensure that residents in their own homes can receive necessary adaptations through the Aid and Adaptation Scheme and the Disabled Facilities Grant. Furthermore, assessments are being made to determine if adaptations in void council properties can be reused for new tenants, a process that can lead to cost savings.
The review aims to create a more coordinated approach to supported housing and accommodation-based care, strengthening prevention and ensuring residents access the most appropriate housing and support at the right time. The findings will inform future project workstreams and business cases, with any significant proposals to be brought forward through the council's established governance arrangements. The full public reports pack for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting can be found here.