Assurance over care home places

The dispute started last year

Lincolnshire Social Services says it is not expecting a shortfall of care home beds in the county.

It comes as new national figures show that the number of places for elderly and disabled people is continuing to fall.

Almost 750 private homes across the country closed in a 15-month period up to April this year.

Officials at Lincolnshire Social Services admit they have faced a number of challenges, but following the recent settlement of a dispute with 11 independent care homes over funding, they are working to increase financial security.

They say they are doing this by introducing block contracts, which means they agree to pay for a certain number of beds in each home.

They will also be reviewing the impact of the increases in the national minimum wage.

A Modern Apprenticeship scheme will be set up to attract more people into the profession.