Mencap has said it is closing a Surrey care home because its funding has failed to cover its running costs.

The learning disability charity said funding for Jutland Place in Egham, which currently serves six residents, had failed to match costs for a number of years.

Jackie O’Sullivan, acting chief executive of Mencap, said:  “The service at Jutland Place costs more to run than Mencap receives in funding, partly due to vacancies in the property which have been challenging to fill. We have been paying the difference for several years, but this is not sustainable for us, as a charity, in the long term.  This financial year alone, it has cost us £200,000 and this is set to rise next year. 

“As a very last resort, we have had to make the difficult decision to hand back our contract to Surrey County Council. They have the responsibility for finding alternative care providers, but we are working alongside them and will do whatever we can to provide a smooth and supportive transition for the people at Jutland Place.   

 ”We know that these changes will be felt deeply by the people we support and their families. It is not something we have done lightly and we feel very sorry that an alternative solution could not be found to allow us to continue to provide their care.” 

Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said a “sustainable way forward” had not been identified for the home despite talks with Mencap and Runnymede Borough Council.

“There are a number of challenges with the Jutland Place building as a residential care home – such as a lack of communal space and bedrooms located up the stairs – and limits to its potential for renovation, which means the current set-up is unlikely to be fit for the future,” Mooney said.

“Many people with a learning disability are now choosing to live in ordinary homes with support rather than in a residential care home setting and vacancies at Jutland Place have been challenging to fill. The decision for the future use of the building will be taken by the borough council as the landlord. 

“For people currently living at Jutland Place, I would like to give assurances that we will work with providers to find new homes for them, with support to enable them to maintain their friendships and pastimes they enjoy.”