The organisation say they are responding on behalf of care providers operating in the affected area and, importantly, on behalf of the people they support, whose voices and lived experiences must be central to any decision about the future of local services.
The not-for-profit membership organization represents care providers and managers of adult social care services across East Sussex. Members include care homes, home care providers, hospices, supported living services, and voluntary community sector enterprises.
The statement says: “Care services are not simply administrative arrangements; they are trusted relationships built around individuals, families, local communities and the wider health and care system. Residents who draw on care and support, including older people, people with disabilities, unpaid carers, and families, also have a voice in this process.
“Many rely on continuity, familiarity, and joined-up local support to live safely and well. Any change that risks disrupting those relationships must be carefully considered and fully evidenced.
“From a provider perspective, the proposed boundary change could create a fragmented operating environment for services that currently work within established, East Sussex systems.
"Providers may be required to navigate different commissioning arrangements, contract expectations, fee structures, quality monitoring processes, workforce initiatives, market management approaches, and escalation routes. This could add complexity at a time when the care sector is already managing significant workforce, financial and demand pressures.
“There is also a risk that different commissioning approaches across neighbouring authorities could lead to inconsistency for providers and residents alike. Care homes, home care services and other support services do not operate in isolation from wider local systems. They depend on effective coordination with adult social care, NHS partners, community services, safeguarding arrangements, discharge pathways, and voluntary sector support. Dividing communities and services across different commissioning footprints has the potential to weaken coordination, increase duplication and make it harder to maintain a coherent and sustainable local care market.
“East Sussex Partners in Care would therefore welcome clear evidence from Government on how the implications for care providers, residents and the wider health and care system have been assessed. We also ask that providers and people who draw on care and support are meaningfully involved in shaping any transition arrangements, so that service continuity, quality, safeguarding, and workforce stability remain central considerations.
“We remain committed to working constructively with local authorities, NHS partners, care providers, residents, and families to protect high-quality care and support throughout the reorganisation process. However, we strongly believe that the needs and voices of people receiving care, and the practical realities for providers delivering that care, must be fully recognised before any changes are implemented.”