ESSEX Cares, the adult social care trading company spun-out from Essex County Council, has retained a county-wide “reablement” contract, to help people discharged from hospital rebuild their independence at home.

The three-year deal with Essex County Council, starting in November, is the second contract win for Essex Cares in just over a month, following a successful bid for a reablement contract from West Sussex County Council.

That deal was a landmark for the sector, representing the first ever contract award out of county to a local authority trading company in adult social care in the UK.

Sherry Malik, chairman of Essex Cares, said: “We are extremely proud of our workforce, it is because of them that our reputation is so strong in the market. Our track record and breadth of experience has made us the ideal partners for Essex County Council. We are extremely pleased to continue working for them.”

Mark Lloyd, managing director, added: “Over the last year, we have assisted over 3,800 customers in Essex with our reablement service, providing over 111,000 hours of support.

“Our focus has always been to support people to remain as independent as possible in their own homes and this vision continues. Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We endeavor to deliver preventative solutions that enable people to remain in their communities.”