‘Profit before people’: Anger over Wakefield housing provider’s plan to end home care service for 15,000 vulnerable residents
A Wakefield social housing provider has announced plans to end a technology-enabled care service which allows around 15,000 vulnerable residents to live at home independently.
Councillors in Wakefield accused Vico Homes of “putting profit before people” over the decision to discontinue its Care Link service.
The service helps elderly, disabled or vulnerable people through the use of alarm systems and providing a 24-hour monitoring and emergency response.
On Friday, the company informed Wakefield Council that it intended to close the service when its contract with the local authority ended in September 2026.
Vico, previously known as Wakefield District Housing (WDH), also said it would no longer be accepting new customers who pay for the service privately with “immediate effect”.
An email from the company to councillors said providing the service was “no longer financially viable.”
Councillors of all political parties criticised the decision at a full council meeting on Wednesday (November 26).
Council leader Denise Jeffery said: “This is an absolute disgrace, really. It’s absolutely awful for the residents across this district.
“Thousands of people will be affected
“I just felt we had to say something about this today. Residents right across the district depend on it.”
Michelle Collins, the council’s cabinet member for adults and health, said “The potential impact on our residents is significant, as well as the wider impact it could have on our health partners.
“It is absolutely not good enough.”
The company changed its name following a re-brand in April this year, 20 years after WDH was formed when the council handed over its entire stock of around 35,000 homes to the social landlord.
Coun Collins added: “I have got real concerns about Vico’s new business model, which appears to value profit more than it does people.”
Councillors were told the authority intended to find a new provider for the service and a tendering process was already in place.
Coun Collins said: “Our officers are working with partners to better understand the implications of this immediate closure and I would again urge Vico to get back around the table.”
Nadeem Ahmed, leader of the Conservative and Independent opposition group, said: “I don’t agree with the existence of that organisation.
“The whole point of the existence of (WDH) was to serve the people of Wakefield.”
An email sent by the company to all councillors earlier this week said: “After many years of dedicated service, we’ve made the decision to bring our Care Link telecare and responder services to a close by September 2026.
“This follows changes to funding and a wider review of how we can continue to deliver services sustainably in a changing and competitive market.
“Unfortunately the service is no longer financially viable.
“We recognise this news will have an impact on many people; our colleagues, customers and partners.
“And we want to acknowledge the incredible work of our award-winning Care Link team.
“Our priority now is to support everyone affected.
“We have an extensive plan to share the news with customers, directing them to information on alternative providers where needed and keeping them informed.
“And we are providing a package of support to colleagues who are affected.”