COST-CUTTING measures will result in care work at 10 homes in Bolton being transferred to the private sector.

Community care firm Lifeways, which looks after people with a range of physical and mental disabilities, will take over services at the supported living homes, which are currently run by Bolton Council.

Although the firm will be bringing in its own employees, the council said there will be no compulsory job losses and its own staff will be moved to other homes.

But the authority said the move is intended to save £650,000 over the next two years and that some savings could come from voluntary redundancy and early retirement.

The homes are all private addresses, but the council provides care services for the residents.

A council spokesman said the addresses were confidential.

She said: “The proposal to transfer care in 10 properties within our supported housing network was approved as part of the budget saving options approved by cabinet in February.

“The options include transferring care within each house to Lifeways or for individuals to commission their own care.

“Lifeways is our current preferred supplier in this field and already has a significant presence in the town as they deliver care in several similar settings on our behalf.

“The current structure highlighted the potential to make savings with the minimum amount of disruption to service users and staff, and it is expected the savings will be met through vacant hours, voluntary redundancy and voluntary early retirement applications.

“Therefore no staff will lose their jobs in this transfer.

“We would like to reassure service users and their families that we want the best possible care for them and they will be fully consulted on the options available.”