Shared Lives scheme for housing people with learning difficulties struggling to meet savings target

A scheme which the council hoped would cut the cost of caring for people with learning disabilities is not saving as much cash as hoped.

The Royal Borough's Shared Lives project aims to move people with a learning disability into homes with host families.

It is designed to promote independent living, offer a wider range of options for adult social care, and cut the cost of accommodation and care.

In December 2013 the Royal Borough hired Ategi to recruit carers and run the scheme.

Currently six people are housed in the scheme, with five more getting 'regular respite provision' and another six identified as potential beneficiaries.

But a report set to be discussed by the adult services and health overview and scrutiny panel tonight says Ategi has been 'unsuccessful' in recruiting host families over its three year contract.

The scheme is set to save the Royal Borough £65,000 in 2015/16, well short of its £300,000 efficiency target.

The report adds that the the scheme's failure to meet expected savings will add pressure to deliver more savings in 2016/17 and 2017/18.