Sanctuary has completed the acquisition of Cornwall’s largest older person’s care provider and not-for-profit organisation, Cornwall Care.

The deal, which includes 15 residential, nursing and dementia care homes, includes a long-term Strategic Partnership between Sanctuary and Cornwall Council.

Craig Moule, group chief executive of Sanctuary, said: “We are very pleased to have completed this acquisition and warmly welcome Cornwall Care’s residents, clients and team members to Sanctuary.

“We are absolutely committed to providing the highest standards of care and to enriching the lives of every single resident in the care homes we are acquiring.

“Our new strategic partnership has been forged to enable us to serve even more people in Cornwall, strengthening our links and continuing our work with Cornwall Council to ensure people in the county get high quality care and support when they most need it.”

With the acquisition, Sanctuary now manages 111 care homes across England and Scotland, providing care for more than 5,500 residents. Current CQC ratings in England state that more than 90% of the homes are rated as Good or Outstanding.

Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for adults and public health, Andy Virr, said: “I am pleased that the transfer of the freehold of the Cornwall Care home sites has now been completed.

“Our key aspiration throughout this process has been to further secure Cornwall’s care market, ensuring that people are able to stay in their homes, as well as allowing more investment and improvement at these sites. We look forward to the development of these plans.

“This transfer has also ensured that all staff working for Cornwall Care are paid at least the Foundation Living Wage, recognising the value of the great work they do supporting Cornwall’s most vulnerable residents.”

Sally Taylor, Cornwall Care’s chair, said: “This is very good news for Cornwall. Sanctuary has the expertise, resources and care sector knowledge to make this an excellent and very effective, long-term strategic partnership.

“Delivering high quality care has always been our charity’s aim and that will continue as we work alongside a not-for-profit organisation that shares the same goal and has an impressive track record in the care sector.

“The issues affecting adult social care are well known and, as Cornwall’s largest care provider, we understand how important it is to safeguard future provision. That’s why we’re delighted to be joining Sanctuary and why we believe our staff, Cornwall as a whole and, most importantly, the many residents we support, should welcome this announcement.”

This transaction was facilitated by Christie & Co.

Julian Smith, head of independent sector health for law firm Mills & Reeve, who led the transaction,  along with head of charities, Neil Burton, and principal associate, Paul Krivosic, said: “We were delighted to help make this deal happen. A huge number of talented and committed people across teams from Cornwall, the Midlands and beyond have helped to secure the future of a provider which cares for over 1,000 residents and we wish them all the best.”