Construction has officially begun on a state-of-the-art care home in Leeds, designed to serve individuals with severe learning disabilities and autism.
This innovative project, located in Yeadon, is spearheaded by Leeds City Council in partnership with NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, marking a significant advancement in care facilities within the city. The new care home is the first of its kind in Leeds, being both funded and built by Leeds City Council with additional support from NHS partners.
It addresses a critical need for specialized residential care for adults with complex learning disabilities and autism, offering them personalized care in a supportive environment. Previously, residents with such needs often had to seek care outside their local community, away from familiar surroundings and loved ones.
The facility is being constructed on the site of the former Kirkland House, an older people’s care home, and is expected to be completed by October 2025. The care home will feature six high-quality flats, each with its own garden, designed to create a homely and serene environment for its residents. Additionally, the project includes two-story staff accommodations to ensure that high staffing levels can be maintained for 24-hour support.
Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for adult Social Care, Active Lifestyles and Culture said:
“I’m delighted to see work starting on site to bring this much-needed facility to fruition and ready to welcome residents soon. This crucial service will transform the lives of adults in Leeds with severe learning disabilities and complex autism by providing the opportunity to live a fulfilled life in the community.
“The scheme underlines our commitment to tackling social isolation and health inequalities for some of our city’s most vulnerable residents and we look forward to working with partners to deliver what will be truly bespoke care to meet the specific needs of these individuals.”
Nick Earl, NHS West Yorkshire NHS ICB’s Director of Strategy, Planning and Programmes for Leeds said:
“It’s a real honour to be here on site to see how the build is coming along. This is going to make such a difference to the lives of local people with complex learning disabilities and autism and those that support and care for them.
“Our goal as part of the Leeds Health and Care Partnership is to improve health and care for local people and make Leeds the best city for health and wellbeing. So, to be on the ground to see a project coming together that will support some of our most vulnerable people to live more independently is really special.”
Dan Doherty, regional director for Kier Construction North and Scotland, which is the main contractor for the build added:
“We are really delighted to be delivering such a vital facility that will support people with severe learning disabilities to live in their community. Once complete, the centre will provide a much-improved homely environment for some of the most vulnerable residents in Leeds.”
This project is not just a building endeavor but a community-focused initiative that supports Leeds City Council’s Best City Ambition, which aims to improve health and wellbeing outcomes across the city. It also ties into the council’s Inclusive Growth Strategy by promoting innovation and providing employment opportunities within the local community.
Representatives from Leeds City Council and other partner organizations recently visited the site to mark the commencement of the construction work. This visit underscored the collaborative effort involved in launching such a critical facility, aimed at significantly enhancing the quality of life for some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens.
As construction progresses, the care home is poised to become a beacon of specialized care and community integration, setting a new standard for similar facilities in the region and beyond.
