Norfolk County Council's housing with care services are moving from Norse Care to two new providers, with the handover imminent. The council has confirmed that employees transferring to the incoming providers will be protected by TUPE regulations, which legally safeguard workers' terms and conditions when they move to a new employer.

In an additional step, the council has made extra payments to the incoming providers — who would not ordinarily offer it — to ensure transferring staff can remain in the Local Government Pension Scheme. The move was confirmed by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health Cllr Scott Hussey in response to concerns raised by Cllr Jenny Knight about staff working under worse conditions.

For residents living in housing with care and independent living schemes, the council has said that care levels will not be reduced during the early stages of the new contracts unless the tenant and their family agree. Both new providers will work individually with each tenant to assess their needs and outcomes before any changes are made.

Hussey told Cabinet that many existing care staff are expected to transfer to the new providers, meaning residents are likely to retain familiar carers — preserving continuity of care. Both Norse Care and the incoming providers have responsibilities under TUPE to uphold employment rights throughout the transfer process.

The council said it had liaised with trade union Unison throughout the process, and that both incoming providers have been meeting with scheme managers and their deputies to introduce themselves and offer support to staff ahead of the changeover.