DEVON County Council's plans to outsource its residential homes and in-house domiciliary care service are progressing well, their executive has been informed.

Expressions of interest, local and national, were sought last year for the 26 County Council-owned residential homes and its own home care services.

The council already buys 90% of residential care, 70% of domiciliary care and 40% of day care from the private, voluntary and not for profit sector.

Devon wants to become commissioners of care services rather than direct providers of it, and has been inviting interest from professional agencies to run services on their behalf. The Council however would still maintain overall strategic responsibility for the service.

Three Quality Panels were established comprising of experts from a range of different organisations; the County Council, Devon Primary Care Trust, District Councils, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Trade Unions, as well as Service User and Carer representatives.

The Panels looked at the different interest, the needs of people who are receiving a service, and the staffing and employment issues.

Three organisations that showed strong commitment and potential were identified and they made formal presentations to the council earlier this month.

Councillor John Rawlinson, Devon County Council's Executive Member for Adult and Community Services, who has led the evaluation process, said: "The interest we've received has been very encouraging and we're pleased with where we are so far. It's a complicated process, but what we're looking for is an agency or agencies who will provide first class services for our clients and will work closely with us and our partners.

"We're on track at this stage to complete the process by the end of the year and so far things are looking promising."