50 NEW JOBS FOR OMAGH AS OAKLEE OPENS NEW STATE OF THE ART CARE HOME (4th March, 2010)

Oaklee Homes Group is pleased to announce the imminent opening of a new care home at Coolnagard in Omagh.

Oaklee Homes Group has recently established a Care Company to look after its care and support services throughout Northern Ireland. For the past 30 years Oaklee have developed the largest number of partnerships with charitable and health trust providers to deliver quality services in the community than any other housing association in Northern Ireland. This allows many people who previously lived in institutionalised care to now live within their community, in houses and bungalows often specially designed and managed to meet their specific needs. In addition, Oaklee also directly manage five residential homes for adults with learning disabilities which includes 'move on' accommodation for more independent living. With over 100 staff across Northern Ireland involved in care and support, Oaklee is proud to be the partner of choice to promote independent living and support in our community.

Oaklee Care & Support Services will directly manage the residential homes under a contract with the Western Health Trust and the facility will provide a new home for 12 people who are being re-settled from extended periods in hospital. This is part of the Northern Ireland Health Service's resettlement programme, which was prompted by the Bamford Review. The care home will provide modern approaches to client care, including "smart technology", which will significantly enhance the quality of life for residents and their families.

Fifty new jobs have been created as a result of the new Oaklee care home and staff will start a period of intensive training and induction in Omagh on the 1st March. The new positions offer significant career development opportunities, as Oaklee are committed to continued professional development and will support staff in obtaining NVQ qualifications in Social Care. Oaklee have worked closely with the local South West College in Omagh in delivering these professional courses.

The care home is anticipated to be operational by the end of March 2010.

Ian Elliot Group Chief Executive comments on the new Oaklee care home,

"The latest venture for Oaklee care services is also one of its most exciting schemes to promote supported living in the community. The scheme at Coolnagard outside Omagh is the fulfilment of a partnership with the Western Health Trust, and will offer the highest standards of accommodation and care, with over 50 staff involved in delivering the services. Staff training is being undertaken in conjunction with the local Further Education College. This will ensure that fully trained staff will continue to develop the highest standards of care and support, and also that individual residents will enjoy a new quality of life in the community. We wish everyone well in this new project opening in spring 2010."