Norse Care estate in Norfolk could be transformed under county council proposals

Norfolk County Council is seeking to secure investment to support the transformation of its care estate.

The expiry of Norse Care’s contract in March 2026 offers “an opportunity for the council to review the future provision necessary to meet the growing and changing needs of Norfolk’s residents”, a statement has said.

This follows the closure of Burman House Residential Home in Terrington St John last year - a move which sparked controversy at the time.

Since 2011, Norse Care has provided a range of services within the care sector, managing a range of residential care sites as well as housing with care and independent living.

Its sites also include Cranmer House in Fakenham, High Haven in Downham, Rebecca Court in Heacham, Westfields in Swaffham, and Woodlands in Lynn.

Three sites operated by the company received significant investment, being transformed into modern, purpose-built facilities.

However, while other homes have benefited from smaller scale improvements, a review of the estate “has shown that significant investment is needed to ensure that other existing sites are able to meet the current and future needs of Norfolk’s residents, which are increasingly complex and varied”.

The county council has been working with specialist advisors to understand the investment needed, testing market interest from other providers to ensure that it can provide “high quality care for individuals and value for money”.

This work is still under way and no decisions have been made about the future of each Norse Care site.

Cllr Andrew Jamieson, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said “Norse Care have provided care and support to many people in Norfolk, helping residents, tenants and their families navigate difficult and uncertain times, and we thank everyone involved for the work they’ve done and continue to do.

“We must keep pace with Norfolk’s increasingly complex care needs and the expiry of this contract in March 2026 gives us a fresh opportunity to look at how we do that.

“More people are living with dementia and there’s a growing requirement for housing with care and independent living schemes.

“We've already invested £47million in creating new, modern care provision for people across Norfolk, offering more choice and variety to help people live independently, for longer, in the place that they choose.

“Further investment will allow us to fast forward completion of new care homes to deliver the best care for more people, while at the same time maximising value for money for Norfolk’s residents and turbo-charge the transformation of our care estate.”

The council continues to lobby the Government to provide long-term sustainable funding for the sector.

Norse Care currently operates a range of sites across Norfolk. Three of these - including Burman House - have already been closed.

All other sites will continue to operate as normal until the contract expiry in March next year. If required, Norse Care may continue to provide care until new arrangements are in place to ensure continuity of care for residents and tenants.