A MUCH-VALUED day service in Eastbourne that supports adults with autism and learning disabilities may now be saved from closure following strong feedback from families and carers.
Linden Court, which is run by East Sussex County Council, had been earmarked for closure as part of wider plans to bridge a significant budget shortfall caused by rising costs and increased demand for adult social care services.
However, a revised proposal now recommends keeping the service open, albeit with a reduced capacity of 25 places per day, matching its current level of usage. The county council’s Cabinet will consider the updated plans at a meeting on Tuesday, July 15.
A consultation on the closure, which would save £327,000 a year, asked families and carers if assessing care needs could help identify care and support elsewhere in the event Linden Court had to shut.
Feedback received about the needs of carers and users of Linden Court, some of whom require 24-hour support and who benefit from care at the service on three or four days a week, has prompted the new recommended approach.
The report to cabinet points out the stress and fatigue on carers is an ever-present risk of no longer being able to care for their family members at home and instead applying for residential care, at higher cost.
Keeping Linden Court open would reduce some of the immediate uncertainty on families of those who most rely on the centre.
If agreed, the proposal would achieve just under half the planned saving and the remaining £182,000 would need to be found elsewhere.
Mark Stainton, East Sussex County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care and Health, said: “Linden Court provides a valued service and we’ve listened carefully to people who use it, their carers and families.
“A new option of continuing support at Linden Court for existing users could provide time to consider what types of support can be offered in future to meet eligible needs and improve lives.
“We know we have to make difficult and sometimes upsetting decisions but our priority is always to keep working with people who need our support and their families to provide the best services we can in an extremely challenging financial situation.”
The county council is making savings of £16 million this year, including £7.5 million from Adult Social Care.
The full report to be considered by Cabinet members is online at Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 15th July, 2025, 10.00 am | East Sussex County Council
