Domestic Home Converted into Specialist Care Facility

RDS Carebuild was commissioned to convert a traditional domestic property in Worthing into a six-bedroom specialist care facility for young people with severe physical disabilities. The project was delivered during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, introducing unique challenges in terms of logistics, health protocols, and construction timelines.

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Building During a Pandemic in a Sensitive Environment

Undertaking a construction project in the healthcare sector during a global pandemic required extraordinary planning and flexibility. The project faced significant challenges including:

• Nationwide material shortages and delayed deliveries impacting the construction schedule.
• Staffing disruptions due to illness, isolation, and travel restrictions.
• The site’s location within a tight residential area with limited vehicle access, making careful coordination with neighbours essential.

Despite these hurdles, our team remained committed to upholding the highest standards of quality, safety, and communication throughout.

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Strategic Project Management and Safety Compliance

RDS Carebuild worked closely with the client to revise the construction programme, allowing for expected delays and adjusting milestones accordingly. Key measures taken included:

• Redrafting the project timeline to accommodate material availability and workforce limitations.
• Assigning tasks with precision to maximise efficiency across every stage of the build.
• Implementing robust Covid-19 health and safety protocols, including PPE usage, site sanitation, and social distancing.
• Accommodating late-stage design changes for fire safety compliance, ensuring the facility met all current fire regulations and accessibility standards.

Our on-site team maintained strong communication with neighbouring properties throughout, reducing disruption and fostering goodwill.

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Advanced Accessibility and Fire Safety Features

The completed facility was designed to meet the complex physical needs of young people with severe disabilities, and included:

• A height-adjustable bath to support safe and dignified personal care routines.
• Ceiling-mounted hoist systems in each bedroom, enabling smooth transfers to en-suite bathrooms without the need for wheelchair use—reducing both physical strain on carers and stress on residents.
• Fire-compliant layouts with appropriate compartmentation, fire doors, and escape planning to ensure safety for both residents and staff.

These thoughtful features ensure the home supports both independence and high-level care, with durability and safety at its core.

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A Purpose-Built, Safe and Uplifting Living Environment

While the project required a time extension, the revised programme was successfully delivered and met with full client approval. The outcome is a modern, welcoming care home that provides a high standard of living, specialist facilities, and a safe environment tailored to the needs of immobile and wheelchair-using young people.

This project demonstrates RDS Carebuild’s ability to navigate complexity under pressure while delivering transformative outcomes in the healthcare and assisted living sectors.

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