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Hartlepool specialist care development officially opens creating 60 jobs

A multi-million pound specialist care development for vulnerable adults that is set to create almost 60 new jobs in Hartlepool has been officially opened.

Burbank Mews off Burbank Street - a development of four high-quality, purpose-built bungalows - is being run by Mariner Care.

It was officially opened by councillor Robbie Payne, chair of Hartlepool Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, and Dave Stubbs, the authority’s chief executive, with Chris Pooley, chief executive of Mariner Care.

The bungalows have been built on the former Hartlepool Council-owned Bridge Youth Centre site.

The properties - two of which have four bedrooms and the others two bedrooms - will provide 24-hour care to 12 vulnerable adults with a range of challenging behaviour and learning disabilities.

They have been built for Mariner Care by the Robertson Construction Group and represent the first phase of an investment that is eventually expected to total more than £4.5 million.

Mariner Care chief executive Chris Pooley said: “We are setting industry standards, not just following them, with this development. The bungalows are designed to the highest possible standards and tailored to the specific needs of the service users that will be living in them.

He said the development would provide a level of care that is not currently available in the town, meaning that some people would no longer have to be sent elsewhere to receive the care they required - in line with a recently-published Government White Paper.

Around 300 people applied for jobs with the company. The first 20 new employees have started a training induction course and more will start work in January. Further staff will be recruited during February/March, taking the total to 57. Most of the new recruits are from Hartlepool and a number were previously unemployed.

Councillor Robbie Payne, chair of Hartlepool Council’s Regeneration Services Committee and a local ward councillor, said: “It is great news that a significant number of good quality jobs are being created for local people, some of whom were previously unemployed.

“I am also grateful to Mariner Care for the faith it has shown in Hartlepool and its residents in bringing such a high-quality development to the town. It is set to be pioneering in terms of the quality of the accommodation and the level of care that will be provided.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steve Hilton .