Long deals may hit small care homes

The future of small residential care providers was called into
question during a workshop session.

Social services directors felt that moving towards longer term
contracts with providers and away from the difficult annual fee
negotiations would be a positive step.

But concerns were raised about whether it would result in more
business going to large providers and the demise of small
ones.

Ellis Williams, social services director at Newport Council, said
it would be “a major problem” if one organisation took over all the
homes and cut out the small providers.