Bromley Council is set to invest £500,000 in a comprehensive review of its services for working-age adults with learning disabilities as part of the Better Lives Programme
. The initiative aims to improve outcomes for residents and develop a more financially sustainable support model, addressing significant financial challenges within existing services.
Bromley Council faces substantial financial pressures with its learning disability services, with approximately 50% of the adult social care budget now allocated to this area, a notable increase from around 26% in 2017/18. This is partly due to an over-reliance on residential care, with 18.2% of working-age adults with learning disabilities residing in care homes – a figure higher than the national average of 14%. Many of these placements are out-of-borough and incur higher costs, averaging around £100,000 per placement compared to the national average of £78,000.
The Better Lives Programme
is designed to transform these services by focusing on several key areas. These include resetting aspirations for young people to encourage independent living or remaining within family homes when transitioning to adult services, and shifting social care practice towards proactive support and earlier interventions for adults. The programme also aims to provide more support for families caring for adult children at home, increase community-based support such as respite and day services, and boost skills and employment training. Furthermore, it seeks to expand housing with care options and help individuals in residential care move to community-based support.
The decision to proceed with the review was made during an Executive meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, where councillors agreed to procure an advisory partner. The programme aligns with the Bromley Learning Disabilities Strategy 2025-2030, which was co-produced with residents and their carers.
The Better Lives Programme
will operate in two phases. Phase 1, estimated to cost £500,000, will involve a 12-week detailed review of current provision and costs. This phase aims to identify opportunities and develop a plan for change. The procurement process for the advisory partner will use an open tender with a price and quality evaluation ratio of 60:40. The service specification for Phase 1 requires the partner to demonstrate expertise in identifying areas for improvement, assessing readiness for change, quantifying opportunities, and developing a project plan with clear performance targets.
Phase 1 is projected to conclude around March 2027, with the tender documents issued on September 17, 2026, and contract award expected in late December 2026. The outcome of this review will inform a subsequent decision on whether to proceed to Phase 2.
Phase 2, subject to further agreement, will see the advisory partner supporting the Council in implementing the developed plan. This phase is estimated to cost between £4.5 million and £5.5 million. The decision to proceed with Phase 2, with or without the advisory partner's continued involvement, will be made by the Executive following the review of Phase 1's findings.
Council reserves will fund this procurement and associated work. The programme is a key component of the Council's Making Bromley Even Better
initiative, aiming to ensure adults and older people can enjoy fulfilled lives, retain independence, and make choices.
However, the programme faces potential risks and challenges, particularly in Phase 2. These include dependence on external factors like provider markets and resident choice, market conditions affecting placement availability, and the pace of transitions for young people moving to adult services. The Council's large elderly population and substantial self-funder market also present challenges in altering the underlying cost trajectory. Furthermore, delivering the transformation programme may be hindered by a lack of internal capacity and expertise.
The Better Lives Programme
is committed to co-producing outcomes with people with lived experience, building on the co-produced learning disability strategy. This involvement will be a key aspect of project management support and resources in Phase 2, ensuring residents' feedback is integrated throughout the process.
For more details on the Executive meeting, refer to the Agenda frontsheet, Public reports pack, Decisions, and Public minutes.