Griffin Court, Hebburn

Griffin Court is an Extra Care housing scheme delivered in partnership between Karbon Homes and South Tyneside Council.

It offers self-contained apartments for adults aged 18 and over who want to live independently, with the reassurance that care and support is available if needed.

You’ll have your own front door and tenancy with Karbon Homes, along with access to:

• 24-hour on-site Wellbeing Support
• Personal care (subject to assessment)
• Communal lounges and shared spaces
• Landscaped gardens
• An on-site café and hairdresser 
• Karbon Employed Activities coordinator – supplying year-round tailored scheme events

Extra Care is designed to help you stay independent in your own home for as long as it’s safe and appropriate to do so.

Griffin Court is for:

• Adults aged 18 and over
• Single people or couples
• People with a care or support need assessed by Adult Social Care
• Those living with dementia
• People who can live safely within an Extra Care setting
• People with a local connection to South Tyneside

Extra Care schemes work best when there is a balanced mix of residents with different levels of care and support needs.

All applications are considered carefully by a Lettings Panel to make sure the scheme remains safe and suitable for everyone.

Extra Care may not be suitable for people who:

• Do not have an assessed care or support need
• Require continuous one-to-one supervision
• Have been assessed as needing residential or nursing care
• Have needs or risks that cannot be safely supported within the scheme

Every application is considered individually, and decisions are based on professional assessments and partnership discussion. Applicants will be shortlisted based on individual needs and circumstances.

For the initial opening of Griffin Court, applications are made through Karbon Homes.

The process includes:

Completing an application form

• After initial assessment by Karbon Homes, if you are eligible, you will be contacted to let you know that you are now to our waiting list.
• We will pass your information to South Tyneside Council for review.
• We will pass your information to South Tyneside Council to review your care and support needs

There is nothing more for you to do at this point. If we need more information, the Council will be in touch with you via your preferred contact method.

All applications are then considered at a Lettings Panel. Properties will be shortlisted based on individual needs and circumstances.

If you are shortlisted, we’ll carry out:

1. Housing checks
2. Financial assessment
3. Verification and references

Once everything is complete, a formal offer may be made.

If you are not initially made an offer, we will keep your application for consideration of future vacancies.  

If you need support applying, Karbon Homes’ Customer Hub can help.

When the scheme is fully operational, future applications will be made through South Tyneside Council in line with agreed processes.

There are different elements to consider.

Housing costs (paid to Karbon Homes)

You will pay:

Rent

Meals (mandatory 3 per week)

Service charge

The service charge covers things like:

Cleaning and maintenance of communal areas

Grounds maintenance

Building safety and compliance

On-site housing management

Telecare infrastructure

Rent varies depending on the apartment type and size. We’ll always provide full details before you make any decisions.

If you’re unsure about affordability, Karbon’s Money Matters Team can help you check benefits and look at budgeting options.

Care and Wellbeing Support Costs (paid to the Council)

If you have an assessed care and support package, you may need to contribute towards the cost. This is not included in your rent paid to Karbon.

The Council also provides a Wellbeing Support presence on site which is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This provides reassurance and emergency response to people living in Extra Care housing. Wellbeing Support does not replace an individual care and support package and is payable by everyone living in an Extra Care scheme.

The amount you pay towards your care and support, and wellbeing support charges are assessed by the Council based on your individual circumstances. You may have already received a financial assessment if you currently have a care and support package in place. If not, a financial assessment will be arranged by your Social Worker as part of your assessment of care. You will not pay more than the law says that you can afford to pay.

All apartments are self-contained and designed to support independence. They include:

• Your own private front door
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Living area
• Bedroom(s)
• Accessible features

You remain responsible for your own household bills, such as Council Tax, utilities, TV licence and internet.

• Communal lounges
• Landscaped gardens and outdoor seating areas
• An on-site hairdresser
• An on site café offers hot drinks, light meals and snacks and provides a welcoming space for residents, friends, family and members of the local community. All tenants will receive 3 meals per week in the café, the cost of this is included in your tenancy. Additional meals can be purchased separately direct with the café. 
• Hairdressing services are available by appointment and charged separately.

Griffin Court is equipped with digital telecare and assistive technology to support independence and safety.

This includes:

• An in-apartment alarm system
• Wearable pendant alarms (where required)
• Secure door entry system
• CCTV to communal areas and perimeter

Alarm calls are monitored on site, with external backup monitoring arrangements in place. Telecare infrastructure is included within the service charge.

Griffin Court includes a small number of apartments designed to support people living with dementia.

These apartments include enhanced safety and environmental design features.

• They are suitable for people who:
• Have a confirmed dementia diagnosis
• Can live safely within an Extra Care setting
• Have been assessed as not requiring residential or nursing care
• Suitability is agreed jointly by housing and care partners through the Lettings Panel process.

We understand how important pets can be, however we must respect that Extra Care has a number of shared spaces to be enjoyed by all residents. Therefore, bringing a pet with you is not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A few checks must be carried out before approval is given. These include:

• A pet assessment
• Suitability of the accommodation
• Your ability to care for the pet safely
• Approval must be granted before moving in.

Karbon Homes Pet Policy is available to view here.

One of the main benefits of Extra Care is flexibility.

If your needs increase over time:

• Your care and support package can be reviewed
• Risk assessments can be carried out
• Support can be adjusted where appropriate

Extra Care aims to support you to remain in your home for as long as it is safe and suitable to do so. If needs change significantly, housing and care partners will work with you to consider the best options.

For housing enquiries:

Karbon Homes

0808 164 0111

www.karbonhomes.co.uk

For care and support assessments:

South Tyneside Council Let’s Talk Team

0191 424 6000