The boards of Care4All and NAViGO have granted their approval for a potential merger, to create a new wholly owned subsidiary of leading NHS mental health services provider NAViGO.
It is the first stage in a phased proposal which aims to ultimately unite Ace Homecare, NAViGO Extra and Care4All in the creation of an innovative organisation offering a diverse range of health and social care services within the local community and employing over 250 staff.
Care4All are known for their specialism around supporting people with learning disabilities and the provision of the Meals on Wheels service, while both NAViGO Extra and Ace Homecare have years of experience in providing high-quality home care services for individuals with a range of needs.
NAViGO deputy chief executive Simon Beeton said: “Supporting the needs and improving the health and wellbeing of local individuals and the wider community is our key focus, particularly after the last year.
“And while we remain committed to existing projects, we are excited to embrace the opportunity the merger creates for us to strengthen services, invest in support, serve more people and create better outcomes for both current and potential service users.”
Care4All chief executive officer Jo Barnes added: “Collectively, both organisations have the experience, skills and knowledge to support a broad range of vulnerable people including those with a range of mental health conditions, older people and individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs.
“We know that together, we can make a real difference to more people’s lives while retaining the personalised approach that makes our services so special. The opportunity to create a brand new organisation with all the experience and expertise it will offer, is so exciting”
Subject to a thorough due diligence process and consultation with staff, the new organisation will come into being later in the year under a new name.
Continuity of care will continue with service users seeing the same familiar care professionals while existing services will be retained.
The organisations already enjoy a successful working partnership, jointly taking over Ace Homecare in 2019 and managing supported living services.
Staff have been notified and will be actively involved and kept up to date throughout the merger process.