Key Highlights
- The closure of Sherburn House in Knaresborough could be a “death sentence” for its nine residents with complex needs.
- Sherburn House has cared for the residents since 2016 and was opened by the Wilf Ward Family Trust on Daniel Beardsley’s 18th birthday.
- The closure is due to staffing issues, rising costs, and financial challenges faced by the Wilf Ward Family Trust.
- The family of one of the residents has launched a petition against the decision, gathering almost 1,000 signatures in its first week.
Background on Sherburn House and Its Residents
Sherburn House is a care home in Knaresborough that provides specialized support to nine adults with complex learning and physical disabilities. The facility opened in 2016, marking the beginning of Daniel Beardsley’s transition into adulthood. According to his father, Gavin Beardsley, Sherburn House has been instrumental in helping his son overcome numerous health challenges, including a chromosomal abnormality that makes him unique in the world.
The care home is managed by the Wilf Ward Family Trust, which operates under a commission from local councils and healthcare authorities to provide services for people with disabilities across Yorkshire. Despite the trust’s dedication and success in supporting its residents, financial challenges have made it unsustainable over time.
Financial Challenges and Staffing Issues
The closure of Sherburn House is primarily due to rising costs and staffing issues. Paul McCay, CEO of the Wilf Ward Family Trust, stated that the service has never broken even financially. He cited significant increases in staff salaries, food, and energy costs, which have outpaced funding received from local authorities. The trust’s inability to negotiate better financial terms with commissioners further exacerbated its struggles.
McCay emphasized the difficulty of retaining staff given the high costs involved: “We do very good stuff there and we support people with some of the most complex needs in the country, but it is just not viable any more.” He added that larger providers could afford to pay professional negotiators for better funding, a luxury his trust did not have.
Community Impact and Public Response
The news of Sherburn House’s closure has been met with widespread concern from the local community. Daniel Beardsley’s mother, Rebecca Fennell, described the care home as akin to a “family” where her son thrived. She highlighted the emotional attachment residents have formed over the years and expressed fear that the move would be detrimental: “This is a death sentence for each and every one of them to be leaving Sherburn without getting the special care that these guys have trained for the last 10 years.”
In response, Rebecca launched a petition against the closure.
The petition gained significant traction within its first week, reaching nearly 1,000 signatures. This demonstrated public support and highlighted the community’s desire to find alternative solutions. The family’s efforts underscore the broader issues facing social care services in the UK.
Government Response and Future Outlook
The North Yorkshire Council expressed sympathy for those affected but stated its commitment to finding new homes for residents if necessary: “We always want people to continue to live in their existing home where this is the right decision for them.” However, the closure reflects ongoing challenges within the social care sector. Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, emphasized that Sherburn House’s situation was symptomatic of a wider problem with insufficient funding: “People can leave the social care sector and go to work in supermarkets, often for more money.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the difficulties and outlined recent initiatives aimed at improving care quality and workforce support. While these measures may address some concerns, the long-term sustainability of such services remains uncertain without fundamental changes to social care funding.
