Newham Council has approved the continuation of its Home and Settle Service, a vital support system for residents returning home from hospital. The decision, made during an Officer Key Decision meeting on Monday, June 1, 2026, will see the service continue for another five years under a new contract with Age UK East London.
The Home and Settle Service, which has been operational since 2014, provides practical assistance to individuals aged 18 and over who are discharged from hospital with low to moderate social care needs. Support can include ensuring homes are adequately heated, arranging immediate food shopping, light housekeeping, and minor home adaptations like the installation of handrails. The service aims to help residents reintegrate into their homes and routines, with a reported success rate of reducing hospital readmissions to an average of 3% within 90 days.
The current contract with Age UK East London was set to expire on June 30, 2026. The approved proposal allows for a direct award of a new five-year contract to the existing provider, valued at an estimated £600,000 over the contract period. This averages £0.120m per year. The rationale behind the direct award is that it was considered acceptable due to no significant changes in the service scope or contract value, and satisfactory performance from the incumbent provider. The report also noted that there appeared to be limited interest in previous procurements for this service, with only Age UK and the Red Cross operating similar services across the NEL footprint.
Funding for the Home and Settle Service will transition from the Better Care Fund to the Public Health Grant from April 1, 2026. This move aligns the service more closely with public health objectives, specifically assisting the Council in delivering Priority 1 of its Corporate Plan: 'A healthier Newham and Ageing Well', and indirectly supporting Priority 2: 'Newham's inclusive economy to support you in these hard times'.
The decision was made by Fiona Connolly, Corporate Director of Adults and Health, in consultation with Councillor Susan Masters, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment. The decision is subject to a call-in period, meaning it cannot be implemented until the sixth working day following its publication. The potential outcome of this call-in period is not detailed in the available information.
The decision document can be found in the Agenda frontsheet 01st Jun 2026 Officer Key Decision.