Release date: 21 August 2026
A service helping thousands of people recover following illness, injury or surgery is proving central to West Sussex County Council’s work to develop sustainable adult social care services.
Over the past year, the service, which is commissioned by the council and managed by Essex Cares Limited (ECL), has provided more than 2,600 people with short-term support to rebuild their confidence and manage everyday life safely at home. Of those completing the programme, 76% required no further ongoing care needs, while 97% reported a positive experience.
Councillor Richard Bates, the council’s Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said:
“Helping people remain independent in their own homes is an essential part of supporting healthier, more fulfilling lives. It’s encouraging to see so many of our residents benefiting from personalised support following illness, injury or surgery.”
Referrals increased by 17% compared with the previous year, with those from community pathways almost trebling. Around 126,000 hours of support were delivered during the year.
By helping people do more for themselves and reducing the need for longer-term care, reablement improves individual outcomes while helping the council manage growing demand.
ECL’s reablement specialists deliver reablement activity to people using the service, working alongside West Sussex County Council’s Occupational Therapy Team, which provides occupational therapy support where needed.
Real examples of reablement support
Kathy was referred following a hospital admission after several falls. Within a week, she was safely using the stairs, showering and dressing independently, and completed the programme without needing ongoing care.
Sarah received support to manage the impact of bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder on her daily routines. The programme helped her rebuild her confidence and establish routines for medication, meals and personal care, helping her feel more independent and in control.
Cllr Bates added:
“The fantastic work of our reablement service reflects our commitment to putting people at the heart of social care. By focusing on confidence, practical skills and long-term independence, reablement improves outcomes for people and their families while helping us build sustainable adult social care services across the county.”
Peter Fairley, ECL Managing Director, said:
“Kathy and Sarah’s stories demonstrate how the right support, at the right time, can make a lasting difference. Whether helping someone recover physically after a hospital stay or supporting a person to rebuild confidence and routine following mental health challenges, reablement empowers people to regain their independence in their own homes.
“Over the past year, we have supported more than 2,600 people through the service, with 76% completing reablement with no ongoing care needs and have ambitions to support considerably more people in year two. We share the council’s vision to provide access to therapy-led community reablement to local people and look forward to what the next five years of the contract bring."
If you could benefit from adult social care support, or know someone who could, contact Adults’ CarePoint on 01243 642121 or visit West Sussex Connect to Support.
