Independent Living Schemes – new builds for 2026

Overview

North Northamptonshire Council Commissioners are seeking views from residents, those 50 years and above (with or without current care and support needs) regarding new accommodation opportunities being built in Wellingborough and Oundle with a planned opening in 2026. These new developments will include 24-hour on-site care provision and are known as Independent Living Schemes (formerly referred to as Extra Care/ Assisted Living schemes).

What are Independent Living Schemes?

Independent Living Schemes, often known as Extra Care or Assisted Living Schemes, are developments that comprise of self-contained apartments. These schemes offer the ability to continue living with a partner or family member but with design features and support services available to enable self-care and independent living. The settings predominantly meet needs for people aged 55 and over as a place to live through to the end of their life.

The accommodation model meets a range of care and support needs for people over the age of 55, including those with mental health needs (including dementia), autism, learning disabilities, and physical/sensory disability. Where required, support is available to provide palliative and end of life care. Individuals have the assurance of 24-hour staff based within the scheme who are able to respond to emergencies (via pull cords within apartments) and provide individualised support, based on need.

For people living in these types of settings, it means there is often no need to move into a care home once care and support needs increase. Schemes act as their own community neighbourhood and also have close connections and integration with the local community. They ensure people feel safe and secure whilst still maintaining privacy and exercising maximum choice and control over daily life.

What do we want to know?

North Northamptonshire are working with Housing partners in the development of two new schemes within North Northamptonshire. Commissioners are keen to understand initial interest from local residents for these schemes ahead of their opening in 2026.

Important information

The Council advises that any initial interest shown via this survey is not indicative of acceptance or guarantee of tenancy of either scheme, rather the information obtained will be used to gather an understanding in numbers of local people seeking accommodation of this type within the time period identified.

Successful applicants will need to meet eligibility criteria in orde for a place to be offered.

This overview and survey are available in Easy Read format via the links below:

• Overview in Easy Read format
• Survey in Easy Read format

We would welcome your contribution to this consultation by completing the survey below.

• You can complete it yourself or
• Print off the Easy Read survey, complete it and return it
• Telephone the team at North Northamptonshire Council who can assist you to complete it over the phone. Please call 0300 126 3000 between the hours of 9am and 5pm. When asked please select option 1 (Adult Social Care), Option 2 (Adult Social Care) and then Option 1(Adult Social Services)
• You can ask your family or unpaid carers to fill this survey in with you

You can also share any comments via post to:

Commissioning Team
North Northamptonshire Council
Haylock House
Kettering Parkway
Kettering
NN15 6EY

Should you require further details in relation to Independent Living Schemes ahead of completing the online survey please contact Commissioners with your enquiry at: acc@northnorthants.gov.uk

The survey closes at 23.59 on 10 November 2024.

For information about how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see the consultation and engagement privacy notice.