East Kent Mencap has made the difficult decision to close its Complex Needs Hub in Margate. The hub currently supports 12 people and will continue to operate until 26 October 2026.
The cost of operating the hub has risen beyond the funding available to sustain it. This reflects wider financial pressures affecting the social care and charity sectors, including increases in staffing costs, employer National Insurance contributions and other essential operating expenses.
This is not a decision that East Kent Mencap has taken lightly. We recognise that the planned closure of an established service will be upsetting for the people who use it, their families and our employees. Supporting everyone through the transition remains our priority.
We are working closely with Kent County Council, families and other professionals to ensure appropriate future support arrangements are in place. Every person affected has been offered alternative support, and where appropriate some people will continue to receive services from East Kent Mencap.
While the Complex Needs Hub is closing, East Kent Mencap’s Margate hub remains open and continues to support people with a learning disability. Our other hubs, Community Support, Housing and wider Charity Services also continue to operate across East Kent.
East Kent Mencap remains committed to supporting people with a learning disability and their families across East Kent. We believe that sustainable, properly funded services are essential, particularly for people with complex needs, and we welcome greater government investment that reflects the true and increasing cost of providing high-quality care and support.
