Barking and Dagenham Council is actively working towards meeting London Plan housing targets for specialist older people's housing, with a current provision of 1,121 homes for age-designated, retirement, and sheltered housing. The council also provides 150 rented homes in extra care housing across four schemes and has 229 registered beds in three care homes for older people, alongside 460 registered beds in seven nursing homes. A complete borough-wide unit total for supported living, Shared Lives, and floating support is not yet available.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received an update on the council's supported housing provision, where Councillor Ben Suter raised a question regarding the delivery of these targets. Officers committed to providing further information following the meeting.
The review of supported housing provision highlighted a focus on optimising existing resources and developing a more diverse range of housing options to meet the evolving needs of residents. This includes exploring models like cluster flats and intermediate provision to help people sustain their independence for longer. The council is aiming to address changing demographics, resident outcomes, and demand for services by offering specialist provision, extra care housing, supported living, and general needs housing. The goal is to support residents to remain independent and reduce reliance on residential care.
Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, emphasised the improved cooperation between housing and adult social care teams, facilitated by the Housing and Care Group. This collaboration aims to future-proof housing stock through preventative measures and the integration of care technology. Specific preventative measures include introducing care technology into more housing stock before it is designated as supported housing to ensure independence is future-proofed. The council is also relaunching its care technology brand with a commitment to providing Wi-Fi for residents who cannot access it themselves, recognising the long-term savings from enabling independence.
Councillor Dorothy Akwaboah questioned the basis for adjusting accommodation types, stressing the need for decisions to be driven by need and demand. Councillor Worby responded that flexibility and adapting existing stock were key, alongside ensuring a diverse range of provision. To determine this need and demand, the council is conducting a needs mapping exercise with an external consultant and utilising data from Tenancy Update Visits, as well as its Liquid Logic and Open Housing systems.
The 'cluster flats' model being explored involves approximately five flats on a landing with dedicated support, offering residents greater independence. 'Intermediate provision' is also being considered as a housing model the council currently lacks in sufficient quantity. These models, alongside specialist provision and extra care housing, are part of the council's strategy to ensure housing and support arrangements reflect individual needs and promote independence wherever possible.
Further details on the council's supported housing provision can be found in the Public reports pack for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 7 October 2026. Public reports pack Wednesday 07-Oct-2026 19.00 Overview and Scrutiny Committee