By Mencap
Mencap has recently welcomed four new services in Hertfordshire that support people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
. As of Monday 2 March 2026, three registered care homes and one single‑person
supported living
Supported living is when you live in your own home with support from staff. People who live in supported living have a tenancy agreement.
service
A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support.
officially became part of Mencap.
This change was about making sure people continued to receive safe, reliable support in their homes. Over the months leading up to the
transition
Transition means changing from one thing to another. Transition sometimes means things like when you change from having children's social care to adult social care.
, we worked closely with Hertfordshire County
Council
A council is also called a local authority. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
and the teams in each service to plan a smooth and positive handover. For the people living in these homes, the most important thing was that life stayed stable, familiar and supportive and that remained at the heart of every decision.
Keeping things steady for people and families
We know that any change can feel uncertain, so we spent time getting to know the services, meeting staff, and listening to families. Our focus throughout was on making sure people felt comfortable and reassured.
A few things stayed the same:
- People continued receiving the support they rely on every day.
- Staff who know the people well moved over to Mencap, helping keep trusted
relationships
Relationships are about the people in your life. You might have different types of relationships like friendships, family relationships, or a boyfriend or girlfriend.
in place. - Families were kept informed, and many shared how reassuring it felt to have a clear plan for the future.
There were also some early moments that showed how warmly the transition was being received. On the Tuesday of the first week, our Area Operations
Manager
A manager is a boss at work. They tell you what you need to do and give you support if you need it.
received a handmade card from one of the people we support. It welcomed them to the service and included an invitation to join their friendship group, a small gesture that spoke volumes about the importance of continuity and connection.
Families, too, expressed renewed confidence. One relative told us they felt relief on hearing of Mencap’s involvement. They spoke about their belief in our values Values are the things that are important to you. Mencap's values are being passionate, inclusive, brave, positive, and kind. and their hope that this change would lead to a meaningful improvement in their loved one’s quality of life.
A positive start with the teams
The staff teams have shown real commitment during this period of change. Several colleagues who had been considering leaving chose to stay, citing Mencap’s reputation and values as a key reason. One
support worker
Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
who transferred to us shared that, within just the first three days, they could already see positive changes and felt renewed hope about the quality of support going forward.
These early signs matter. They show that people feel the difference and that the foundations for strong, person‑centred support are already taking shape.
This move also strengthens our work in Hertfordshire and builds on our partnership with the local council and community A community is the people and places in an area. .
Looking ahead
We’re proud to have stepped in to ensure people’s support continued without disruption. Over the coming months, we’ll keep working closely with the people we support, their families and colleagues to make sure everyone feels settled and confident.
“This transition is about people; their homes, their relationships, and their right to feel secure. We’re grateful to everyone who has helped make this change positive, and we’re committed to providing high‑quality, person‑centred support across Hertfordshire.” - Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive, Mencap
There is lots to do but it’s been a positive start, and we’re looking forward to growing our support for people with a learning disability in Hertfordshire.
Jon Sparkes OBE