Work begins on pioneering new care home in Leeds

The new care home in Yeadon will be the first of its kind to be built and funded by Leeds City Council, along with NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), providing bespoke housing and support for adults with complex learning disability and autism needs – a provision currently unavailable in the city. 

The innovative facility will offer its residents the opportunity to remain in their local community and closer to family and friends, rather than in residential care outside of the area.

Comprising of six high-quality, homely flats, each with its own garden, the care home will also include two-storey staff facilities to provide high staffing levels to support the individuals 24 hours a day.

The work is a result of significant collaboration between Leeds City Council, NHS West Yorkshire ICB, NHS England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Leeds and York Partnership Trust (LYPFT) to invest in inspirational accommodation which provides personalised care for people who need high levels of support within their home city.

The flagship build is taking place on the site of the former Kirkland House older people’s care home and it is expected to be completed by October 2025.

Representatives from the partner organisations involved in the project, including from Leeds City Council, visited the site recently to mark the start of the work.

Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture said: “I’m delighted to see work starting on site to bring this much-needed facility to fruition and ready to welcome residents soon.

“This crucial service will transform the lives of adults in Leeds with severe learning disabilities and complex autism by providing the opportunity to live a fulfilled life in the community.

“The scheme underlines our commitment to tackling social isolation and health inequalities for some of our city’s most vulnerable residents and we look forward to working with partners to deliver what will be truly bespoke care to meet the specific needs of these individuals.”

Nick Earl, NHS West Yorkshire NHS ICB’s Director of Strategy, Planning and Programmes for Leeds, said: “It’s a real honour to be here on site to see how the build is coming along. This is going to make such a difference to the lives of local people with complex learning disabilities and autism and those that support and care for them.

“Our goal as part of the Leeds Health and Care Partnership is to improve health and care for local people and make Leeds the best city for health and wellbeing. So, to be on the ground to see a project coming together that will support some of our most vulnerable people to live more independently is really special.”

Dan Doherty, regional director for Kier Construction North and Scotland, which is the main contractor for the build, added: “We are really delighted to be delivering such a vital facility that will support people with severe learning disabilities to live in their community.

“Once complete, the centre will provide a much-improved homely environment for some of the most vulnerable residents in Leeds.”

The project supports Leeds City Council’s Best City Ambition, through improving health and wellbeing outcomes for people with high care needs and working together with health partners, as well as the authority’s Inclusive Growth Strategy, which supports innovation, investment and employment opportunities within the local communities.

ENDS

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