Telford council vow over respite care closure

More than 350 elderly and vulnerable people will continue to be looked after in their own homes despite the closure of a leading Shropshire respite care provider, council bosses vowed today.

It was feared that hundreds of people would lose the care they currently receive when Shropshire Crossroads Care in Newport closes at the end of March due to funding cuts.

But Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council have now taken up the mantle of providing the help, although the future of the 35 staff at Crossroads Care remains in doubt.

Crossroads Care chief executive Jo Hesketh said she was delighted care would still be offered to their clients.

She said: "We are definitely closing in March but Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council will be providing care for those people affected.

"I'm not sure exactly how they are going about it at the moment but the important thing is that the care will still be offered.

"We have been in touch with clients to keep them updated about the situation and what is going on.

"It is good news of sorts because we wanted to ensure the care carried on."

However, she added: "We are still not sure about the staff yet.

"We hope that some will be okay to transfer across but obviously it depends on what the new provider wants.

"At the moment it is a case of wait and see for staff which is a shame because we would like that resolved. I am hopeful it will be by April 1 because we will close at the end of March."

Councillor Jacqui Seymour, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for adult care and support, said: "Telford & Wrekin Council's social work teams have spoken to all people who live in the borough and currently receive the Crossroads service and we have reassured them council funding is in place for their service.

"We are due to meet a representative of Crossroads to clarify the arrangements to close down the service."

Stephen Chandler, Shropshire Council's assistant director for adult social care, said: "We are confident we can achieve a successful transfer to a new Crossroads provider with minimal disruption to people receiving the service."

By Alex James