Two West Northamptonshire care homes and supported living facility could close under council plans

West Northamptonshire Council is considering shutting Southfields House and Obelisk House over a period of up to two years, alongside the closure of Eleanor Lodge, which supports younger adults with disabilities.

The recommendations will go before the council's cabinet on Tuesday, November 10, following a 12-week consultation involving service users, families, carers, staff and partner organisations.

Southfields House and Obelisk House provide residential and dementia care for older people and adults with physical disabilities and complex needs.

Both buildings are more than 40 years old and, according to the council, no longer meet modern care standards.

Officials say bringing them up to standard would require substantial investment and major refurbishment, disrupting residents and reducing available beds.

Under the proposals, residents would be helped to find alternative accommodation meeting their assessed needs.

The council says nobody would be required to move until their needs had been reassessed and a suitable placement agreed with them and their family or representatives.

Eleanor Lodge could also close because of concerns about its suitability for modern supported living.

The council says the building has limited accessibility, shared facilities and cannot be extended, while improvements would involve significant costs and disruption.

People using the service would instead be supported into alternative supported living or community-based accommodation.

The wider review also proposes changes to council-run day services, prioritising people with the most complex needs while encouraging greater independence and community participation.

Councillor Laura Couse, cabinet member for adult care and public health, said: “The demand for adult social care has changed, and shows a continued increase in the need for specialist support.

“We also have an increasing focus on helping people live more independently through personalised, community-based care.

“These proposals follow a thorough review of our services and extensive consultation with people who use them, their families, carers and staff. They aim to ensure support continues to meet people’s needs, promotes independence and makes best use of our resources for the future.

“We recognise these recommendations will be difficult for some people and Cabinet will consider them carefully and sensitively.”

No final decision has yet been made on the closures.

The recommendations remain subject to cabinet consideration, with alternative arrangements proposed for those affected by any closures.