Newham Council's Home and Settle Service, which supports residents returning home from hospital, has been approved for continuation, aligning with the council's 'Ageing Well' priority.
The decision, made during an Officer Key Decision meeting on Monday, June 1, 2026, will see a new five-year contract awarded to Age UK East London, the service's provider since 2014. The estimated total value of the new contract is £600,000.
The Home and Settle Service provides crucial support for up to four weeks to individuals aged 18 and over with low to moderate social care needs upon their discharge from hospital. This assistance includes practical help such as ensuring adequate home heating, arranging immediate food shopping, light housekeeping, and minor home adjustments like the installation of handrails.
A key outcome of the service is its success in reducing hospital readmissions, with an average of only 3% of residents being readmitted within 90 days. This directly contributes to Priority 1 of Newham's Corporate Plan: 'A healthier Newham and Ageing Well'.
Previously funded by the Better Care Fund, the service's funding will transition to the Public Health Grant from April 1, 2026. This transition is described as aligning the service more closely with public health priorities
, though the projected impact on long-term sustainability or scope beyond this alignment is not explicitly detailed.
The direct award of the new contract to Age UK East London was recommended due to satisfactory performance from the incumbent provider. This satisfactory performance was a key factor in deeming the direct award acceptable. However, adjustments to service delivery parameters have been made, including a reduction in service delivery days, times, and the number of residents supported
. The specific impact of these reductions on residents is not explicitly detailed.
This 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 meeting details can be found in the Agenda frontsheet.