Future Care
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Future Care
West Sussex County Council’s Future Care programme aims to ensure we can continue to provide high-quality, sustainable adult social care services now and in the future.
The programme supports the priorities in Our Council Plan and the Adult Social Care Strategy, and how we respond to the challenges of:
- A growing and ageing population
- Increasingly complex care needs
- Rising costs of delivering care
- The need to modernise services
What’s in scope?
The programme is reviewing all residential care services for adults that are provided by the county council.
The council runs six residential homes. New Tyne in Worthing cares for older people with dementia, while five others across the county support people with learning disabilities.
In total, the homes currently support around 130 people with social care needs, who are looked after by a workforce of around 227 people.
The review is looking at:
- The condition and suitability of our buildings
- The cost of running services compared to alternatives
- The availability of good quality care in the independent sector
- The needs and preferences of current and future residents
Decision and Governance
On 29 October 2025, the Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, Councillor Amanda Jupp, confirmed the decision to cease services at New Tyne in Worthing, following a comprehensive review, scrutiny by the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee, and an opportunity for staff, UNISON and residents’ families to have their views represented.
Why was the decision made?
There are three main reasons for this decision:
- How care is provided: New Tyne is the only care home for older people providing a dementia care service directly operated by the Council. All other homes are run by independent providers commissioned by the Council to deliver care.
- Capacity in alternative homes: There are sufficient beds available in the wider commissioned market to meet both current and future needs.
- Cost and sustainability: Operating a single care home for older people living with dementia is significantly more expensive than commissioning care from the wider market. The building also requires investment over the next decade.
How did the council seek views on the proposal?
We did not run a public consultation because the review identified no viable alternative option that would deliver sustainable, high quality care within available resources. Instead, we provided a period for representations from residents, families, staff, UNISON and councillors before the decision was taken.
Decision and call in period
The decision to cease services at New Tyne was taken on 29 October 2025 by the Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services. It is now subject to a seven working day call in period. If not called in, the decision takes effect after the call in period ends.
You can read the proposal in full and re-watch the webcast of the debate.
Can I have a say?
The pre decision representation period for residents, families, UNISON and staff has now closed. After publication, County Councillors may request a call in within seven working days of the decision being published. Members of the public who wish to raise concerns can contact their local councillor.
Future Care next steps
After the call in period ends, we will publish the next steps and timeline for supporting residents and staff, and we will continue to update this page as the programme progresses.
How is the council supporting residents?
We will support each of the 12 residents to move to a suitable alternative home. Our social work teams will work with each resident, their family and advocates to identify appropriate alternative care. Independent advocacy will be provided where needed.
How is the council supporting staff?
We will support our staff at New Tyne, to explore alternative employment opportunities. Where redundancy is the outcome, appropriate support will be provided.