AN additional £5.6million to help support Adult Social Care services in Thurrock will be invested from April this year.

Announced as part of the government’s Spring Budget, the funding will be spread across the next three years – £2.82million in 2017/18, £1.86million in 2018/19 and £923,000 the year after.

Sue Little, councillor for social care was pleased to hear the news – with new money adding to additional grants and care funds. 

She said: “We know there are challenges within Adult Social Care across the country so this additional funding is very welcomed.

“This new money comes in addition to the £700,000 social care support grant for 2017/18, over the next three years, the recently agreed social care precept of nearly £3.6million and ‘Improved Better Care Fund’ of £6million.

“Officers and I are looking carefully at how we can best apply this funding to keep people well, safe, out of hospital and living independently.

“We have been talking to residents for many months about their care and health views which are featured in our refreshed Health and Wellbeing Strategy. This funding will of course, be aligned to supporting these new ambitions.”