Extension to home care support scheme which helps residents live independently set for green light

A pioneering home care support service that is helping people leave hospital sooner, remain independent at home and avoid unnecessary admissions to residential care is set to be extended.

The council's cabinet will be asked to approve an eight-month extension of the Night Support and 24-Hour Wraparound Support Pilot while a formal procurement process is undertaken to establish a longer-term service.

The service was introduced in December 2025 to provide short-term overnight support for people leaving hospital and for residents at risk of experiencing a crisis in the community.

Since then, it has expanded to support a wider range of people, including those at risk of hospital admission, carer breakdown or admission to long-term care.

The proposal comes as timely hospital discharge continues to be a key priority for health and social care services. Delays in leaving hospital can have a significant impact on people’s recovery and place additional pressure on acute hospital services.

The council’s pilot has already shown encouraging results. As well as helping people return home safely following a hospital stay, it has reduced reliance on bed-based care and supported people to stay independent in their own homes while longer-term care needs are assessed.

A limited 24-Hour Wraparound Support Service was also introduced during the pilot to support people with more complex needs who may otherwise require a temporary care placement.

Early evidence suggests the service is helping prevent unnecessary admissions and providing a practical alternative to bed-based care.

Since the pilot began, almost 35 per cent of referrals have come from community-based adult social care teams rather than hospital discharge services, highlighting the growing role the service is playing in preventing crises and supporting residents before their needs escalate.

Over its first six months, the service received 89 referrals, with 67 people receiving support. Of those, 44 have successfully remained at home following the intervention.

The pilot has also coincided with a reduction in the number of people requiring Discharge to Assess beds, with admissions falling by around 10 to 11 people per month compared to previous years, helping to improve patient flow through the hospital system.

If approved, the extension will allow the council to carry out a full evaluation of the service, assess demand and value for money, engage with providers and develop a long-term service specification based on the learning gained so far.

Councillor Lynn Watkins, Cabinet Member for adult social care and all age commissioning at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We want people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, and this pilot has shown how the right support at the right time can make a real difference.

“The service is helping people leave hospital safely, preventing avoidable admissions and providing valuable support to families and carers during challenging times.

"The feedback we have received from residents, families and frontline teams has been extremely positive. Extending the pilot will allow us to build on that success, gather further evidence and develop a long-term service that delivers the best outcomes for local people while helping to reduce pressure on health and care services.”

The proposals support the council’s commitment to creating a healthier standard of living for residents by preventing health deterioration, reducing the risk of crisis and ensuring vulnerable people receive support during key periods of need.