Consultation on residential home closures to go ahead (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth and Dorchester homes face closure

10:35am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News

THE CLOSURE of two residential homes for people with learning disabilities has moved a step closer.
At a meeting this morning members of Dorset County Council’s cabinet have agreed to consult on the closure of Douglas Jackman House in Dorchester and Alexandra Road in Weymouth.
The two facilities currently provide accommodation for 22 adults with learning disabilities who have higher support needs and employ around 100 members of staff.
However, there are ten vacant beds across the two homes and the Care Quality Commission claims both are unfit for full occupancy.
Councillors considered a report which claimed 19 new supported housing places would be made available in Weymouth and Poundbury by early next year that could provide suitable accommodation for the majority of the current residents.
The council has also been looking at developing a new ground floor property in Dorchester in partnership with a housing association to cater for the needs of five of the older residents currently living at Douglas Jackman House.