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District Council
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Dover District Council
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Contact details of respondent on behalf of District Council
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freedomofinformation@dover.gov.uk
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Section 1: Planning and Provision
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- What is your current strategy for developing Extra Care Housing in the District?
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DDC does not have its own strategy. Kent County Council’s strategy covers Dover District Adult social care policies - Kent County Council
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- What are your plans to expand or develop new Extra Care facilities in the 5-10 years?
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No specific plans. DDC do not provide Extra Care accommodation, however the housing department work with specialist providers to provide extra care in the District.
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- Are Extra Care developments referred to in your current local plans?
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Not specifically, however Policy H1 of the Dover District Local Plan addresses specialist accommodation which this would be classified as. V2_Dover District Local Plan to 2040 (Low Resolution for viewing 7.68 MB)
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- Is your District and Borough interested in exploring Extra Care Housing opportunities for working age adults as well as older people?
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Extra care is already provided for some working age people, as it is available for the over 55s. However, the housing department have had discussions with Kent County Council and the providers in the district about the potential for providing extra care for people under 55
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Section 2: Needs Assessment
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- How do you assess the local demand for Extra Care Housing?
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Demand can be determined housing waiting list applications, local housing needs surveys, district-wide housing need surveys, and our tenant composition.
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- What demographic trends are influencing your planning for older adults and people with care needs?
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- Age
- Disability (physical and mental health)
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Section 3: Partnership and Collaboration
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- How do you work with the Housing Associations, Care Providers, and the NHS to support the delivery of Extra Care services?
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- We provide PRPs with housing needs data, which includes, size, type and number of properties within a location.
- We also provide a breakdown of data from our housing waiting list, particularly around medical need, adaptations and size of homes.
- District & local housing needs surveys
- We work closely with Health care professions in our independent living schemes.
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Section 4: Care and Support
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- Is the current level of care and support required within Extra Care Housing typically available to your local residents?
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More is required as our population ages. The district population (2021 Census) showed that those aged 75+ accounted for around 20% of the population, while younger age groups have decreased. The elderly population in coastal areas of Kent, particularly in east Kent (Dover, Deal & Folkestone) are larger than other areas.
20.2% of the district population is disabled under the Equality Act, where day-to-day activities are limited a lot, or limited a little.
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Section 5: Funding and Affordability
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- How is Extra Care Housing funded in your District?
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Current Extra Care Housing in the district is funded via PFI schemes, managed by Private Registered Providers, and overseen by a Board (formed Officers from KCC and the other Tier 2 local authorities).
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- What measures are in place to ensure affordability for local residents on low incomes?
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- For social housing, our preference is to charge rents at social rent or the LHA rate, as this is the most affordable.
- Our Local Plan specifies that 30% of developments must have affordable housing: 55% affordable or social rent, 25% First Homes and 20% Shared Ownership. This provides a range of affordable options to meet residents' needs.
- We look at incorporating energy efficient technologies ( for example, solar panels, air-source heat pumps) to reduce or keep utility bills low for tenants and leaseholders.
We also have tenancy sustainment services, which support tenants who may be struggling with their finances, by providing them with advice and support, or sign-posting them to other services who can assist them
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Section 6: Design and Accessibility
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- What design standards or accessibility features are required in Extra Care Housing developments?
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- Clear and consistent signage
- Safe and accessible communal areas and gardens
- Inclusion of assistive technology
Housing LIN have published a really useful guide on this: Dementia-design-guide-LOWRES.pdf
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- What is required to ensure that Extra Care Housing schemes are inclusive and dementia- friendly?
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- Specialist Demetia training for staff
- Accessible and adaptable design
- Integrated health and support services
- Flexible, person-centred care
- Individual holistic needs assessment
- Building communities, and encouraging social inclusion (i.e. incorporating cafes, shops, parks).
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Section 7: Monitoring and Evaluation
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- How do you monitor the quality and outcomes of local residents Extra Care Housing schemes?
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DDC sits on two Boards for the two Extra Care PFIs in Kent, KHEFA & BHAL
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- What feedback mechanisms are in place for local residents and families?
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The Extra Care Housing in our district is run by Private Registered Providers. Residents can feedback a number of ways:
- Via annual Tenant Satisfaction Surveys. These are also submitted to the Regulator of Social Housing.
- Via complaints
- Direct to the Officers and Housing & care Managers
- Telephone
- Email
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Section 8: Sustainability and Innovation
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- Are there any innovative or sustainable design features being incorporated into new Extra Care Housing schemes?
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24-hour emergency call systems
Aids and adaptations - these can be requested.
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- How could digital technologies be used to support people in Extra Care Housing schemes?
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- Improves safety and wellbeing or residents.
- Supports independent living and lifestyle choices.
- Easier access to support from carers and professionals.
- Enhances social inclusion, especially for online access and communication
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