BLACK Country Housing Group has announced it is looking to transfer the ownership and running of its care homes in Kingswinford and Halesowen.

In a letter to families, the housing provider which runs purpose-built New Bradley Hall in Kingswinford and Gower Gardens in Halesowen, which specialise in dementia care, said it was planning to exit the residential care sector following the challenging conditions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

It said a new owner and care provider have already been selected after a lengthy process to find a reputable care home operator that can give residents and staff the long-term security and specialist support needed.

Dudley Council bosses, however, said no agreement had been reached and any changes would need to be ratified by cabinet.

The letter sent from BCHG’s head of corporate services Sharon Woods to families of residents said: “New Bradley Hall and Gower Gardens have been an important part of our business for the past seven years. “Our strategy has always been to either grow the care business by building or acquiring new homes to generate further capacity, or that if this wasn’t possible, we would look to exit the residential care sector through a managed process.

“The challenging environment within which we have been operating, brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic has focussed discussion around our future strategy and a decision to exit the residential care sector has been reached.”

It said following a lengthy selection process by the BCHG board and executive team it has selected Target Healthcare Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) to take on ownership of the homes, and Kingsley Healthcare to be the care provider and employer.

The letter describes Kingsley Healthcare as “a well-established, reputable care provider” and adds: “Our highly valued colleagues who provide care on a day-to-day basis will continue to do so and we will continue to support them through this difficult time as they transfer across to the new provider.”

It said representatives from Kingsley Healthcare would be meeting with residents, families and staff in the coming weeks and months.

Timescales for the transfers are to be confirmed, it added, saying Gower Gardens – which opened in 2016 - would likely be transferred around May, followed later this year by New Bradley Hall as Dudley Council retains the freehold of the Compton Drive home which opened in 2018.

The letter added: “Throughout this entire process BCHG will remain committed to the best possible care for residents and support for colleagues and this will not diminish at any point.”

A formal consultation over the proposals is expected to take place in the coming months once discussions with the council have concluded after which the BCHG board will make a final decision.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for health and adult social care, confirmed “no agreement” has been made at this time and he said: “We will be in discussions with Black Country Housing Group regarding their proposals. “Any changes would need to be ratified by cabinet.”

BCHG said it had kept the council informed of its intention to transfer ownership of Gower Gardens and New Bradley Hall to another provider and a spokesman added: “There has been ongoing dialogue with adult services since April 2021. “We are working with council officers to ensure a smooth transition of ownership and continuation of high-quality care.”