Newham Council has approved a shift in funding for its Home and Settle Service, with the initiative now to be supported by the Public Health Grant.
The decision, made at an Officer Key Decision meeting on Monday, June 1, 2026, will see the service, which aids residents returning home from hospital, transition from the Better Care Fund to the Public Health Grant from April 1, 2026.
The proposed five-year contract for the service will total £0.600m, averaging £0.120m per year, with the funding now absorbed by the Public Health Grant. There is no indication that this shift in funding source will alter the overall budget or the scope of the service.
The Home and Settle Service, provided by Age UK East London since 2014, assists individuals aged 18 and over with low to moderate social care needs as they reintegrate into their homes post-discharge. Support can include practical help such as ensuring adequate heating, arranging immediate grocery shopping, light housekeeping, and minor home adaptations like installing handrails. A key objective of the service is to reduce hospital readmissions, with an average of 3% of users returning to hospital within 90 days.
Previously funded under a contract with Age UK East London that was set to expire on June 30, 2026, the proposal was to award a new five-year contract to the same provider. This direct award was recommended under specific regulations for provider selection.
While the service has demonstrated strong performance, Age UK East London indicated in January 2025 that the existing budget was insufficient. An uplift in the contract sum was subsequently provided by the Northeast London Integrated Care Board. However, following this uplift, there was a reduction in service delivery days, times, and the number of residents supported, though specific adjustments are not detailed.
The report justifying the direct award highlighted the lack of significant changes in service scope or contract value, alongside the provider's satisfactory performance. It also noted limited interest in previous procurements for similar services.
The Home and Settle Service is considered to directly contribute to the Council's Corporate Plan priority of 'A healthier Newham and Ageing Well', and indirectly supports '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 after its publication. Further details can be found in the Agenda frontsheet.