Specialised care package withdrawals by charity in Devon 'devastating'

Jenny Lauder, Sandy and Sue Howdle Some people say they have been affected by the withdrawal of funding

Some adults with learning difficulties in Devon have been given 28 days notice to move after a funding shortage at the charity that supports them.

The families of about 15 people have been told to find new accommodation and care packages for their loved ones.

Hft Devon said it faced an "unsustainable level of financial loss" due to long-term recruitment and retention issues.

Devon County Council said it was working with the affected families.

A spokesperson for the charity said "chronic underfunding" by central government across the social care sector was partly behind the challenges, along with a reliance on agency staff.

They said: "We are doing everything we can to protect our services, and simultaneously working across the sector to influence central government funding for social care to ensure we can meet the growing demand."

Sue Howdle said Sandy was very upset that he could not stay in his home anymore

The Department of Health and Social Care said the government had made available up to £8.1bn available across 2023 to "enable local authorities to buy more care packages, help people leave hospital on time, improve workforce recruitment and retention, and reduce waiting times for care".

'Absolute nightmare'

Sisters Jenny Lauder and Sue Howdle said that, without a care package in place, their brother Sandy could not stay in his former home and had to move.

He lived in specialised accommodation provided by the charity for more than 40 years.

Ms Lauder said: "The last three weeks have been an absolute nightmare.

"Both for my brother, who is very tearful, and our whole family, it has had a devastating effect on us."

Ms Howdle added: "Sandy does understand what's happening. He is terribly upset about it.

"In fact, every time we talk about it, he is in tears."

Hft, formerly the Home Farm Trust, said it would need to fill a £500,000 gap in its budget to continue operating in Devon.

It said that, although it was cutting care packages, it was not responsible for making anyone homeless as it did not manage tenancy arrangements.

After a three-week search, Sandy's sisters found their brother a new home and care package, but they said they had been left saddened and angry.

Ms Lauder said their father had donated money to the charity during his lifetime and left £10,000 in his will so it would look after Sandy.

"My father was very concerned that he wanted to find a place for our brother… so he wouldn't have to worry about Sandy after he died.

"He interviewed all sorts of different people and decided on Home Farm Trust because they promised him [Sandy] a home for life."

A spokesperson for Devon County Council said: "We are aware of the HFT's decision to withdraw their care and support arrangements, and we are working with the provider and those families affected to identify alternative services that can meet their individual needs".   

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