Newham Council has approved a £600,000 contract to continue a vital service that supports hospital patients returning home. The Home and Settle Service, provided by Age UK East London since 2014, helps individuals aged 18 and over with low to moderate social care needs to reintegrate into their homes after hospital discharge.
The proposed five-year contract, which begins on July 1, 2026, will see the service continue to offer practical assistance for up to four weeks. This includes ensuring homes are adequately heated, providing immediate food shopping, light housekeeping, and minor home adjustments like installing handrails. The contract value averages £120,000 per year, with the funding absorbed by the Public Health Grant. No additional funding streams or in-kind contributions beyond this stated contract value have been mentioned.
The service has demonstrated a significant impact, with an average of only 3% of residents being readmitted to hospital within 90 days of using the support. This initiative directly contributes to the council's Corporate Plan priority of 'A healthier Newham and Ageing Well'.
The decision to award a direct contract to Age UK East London was made by Fiona Connolly, Corporate Director of Adults and Health, in consultation with Councillor Susan Masters, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment. This direct award was deemed appropriate due to the provider's satisfactory performance and the lack of significant changes in the service scope or contract value, as detailed in the Agenda frontsheet 01st-Jun-2026 Officer Key Decision.
Funding for the Home and Settle Service will transition from the Better Care Fund to the Public Health Grant from April 1, 2026, aligning the service more closely with public health objectives.