Consultation

The Future of Ilford Park Polish Home

Published 1 April 2026

1. Background

The Ilford Park Polish Home (IPPH) is the last remaining Polish ‘hostel’ set up under the Polish Resettlement Act 1947. It is a residential and nursing care home for former members of Polish Forces who fought under British control during the Second World War, Poles registered after 31 August 1939, under the Aliens Order 1920 who had been permitted to enter the UK because of circumstances attributable to the Second World War and the spouses of both categories. The Home is based near Newton Abbot, Devon

It is registered with the Care Quality Commission to house up to 95 residents, although currently houses just 40. The Home seeks to ‘recreate’ elements of Poland for its residents many of whom, as a result of mental frailty, revert to speaking Polish, for example by employing Polish-speaking care workers, a Polish priest, celebrating Polish holidays and events, and ensuring Polish foods are served to residents.

To qualify to live at The Ilford Park Polish Home, would-be residents need to meet strict eligibility criteria as set out in the 1947 Act. Its potential client base is therefore limited by virtue of these criteria.

Resident numbers have declined steadily over the last few years although the toll of Covid, sadly led to a higher death rate in 2020/2021, and new arrival numbers remain low – due to the tight entry criteria, and partly to the location of the Home and its relative ‘remote’ distance. Census 2021 data suggests that there were around 3,800 Polish nationals aged 76+ in the UK in March 2021. This will have reduced since then, and only a fraction of the remaining number will meet the eligibility criteria, so potential future resident numbers are small.

2. Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services

An Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services published in 2023 recommended that a public consultation should be launched as soon as feasible to promote the IPPH and encourage eligible future-residents to take up a place at the Home, with a view to closing to new admissions; and that a review of resident numbers should be undertaken in 2026 to ascertain occupancy numbers and likely need for extending the lease beyond the 2028 break clause. If it is deemed that there are insufficient numbers to justify the IPPH’s existence, the MOD should work with the charity sector and local authority to source alternative accommodation for the remaining residents, funded by MOD. Where possible, there should be an attempt by the new provider to recreate the Poland-specific nature of the IPPH.

The MOD has already begun a series of publicity events to increase general awareness of the Home. If the conclusion of this consultation is to go ahead with closing the Home to new applications after an agreed date, a high-level publicity exercise will be launched to invite remaining entitled residents to take up occupancy before the deadline.

An annual review of occupancy will take place beginning in 2027, to consider the long-term future, taking account of admissions and departures. If after an annual review insufficient residents remain to continue supporting a viable community, MOD will consider taking steps to close the Home, on the basis that it will have met its obligations to support this cohort of veterans and their families under the Act. An annual review and any subsequent recommendation to close the Home and/or relocate residents will be subject to an Equality Impact Assessment.

3. Scope of the consultation   

MOD is seeking views from stakeholders on closure of IPPH to new admissions after 2027 and sourcing of alternative accommodation for the remaining residents, if after an annual review insufficient residents remain to continue supporting a viable community,

4. Who is this consultation aimed at? 

This consultation is aimed at:

• Existing residents, their families and representatives

• Individuals who may be eligible for a place at IPPH and their families.

• Stakeholders with an interest in post war Polish Resettlement and care home provision

5. Questions  

The MOD is consulting on the following two questions:

Q1. End date for new admissions - Do you agree that the MOD should set a future end date of Autumn 2027 for new admissions to IPPH, with a view to eventual closure? If not, please provide your reasoning and any alternative suggestions.

Q2. Sourcing of alterative accommodation - Do you agree that the MOD should undertake an annual review of resident numbers to ascertain occupancy numbers and if it is deemed that there are insufficient numbers to justify the cost of running IPPH, the MOD should work with the charity sector and local authority to source alternative accommodation for the remaining residents, funded by MOD. Where possible, there should be an attempt by the new provider to recreate the Poland-specific nature of the IPPH. If you do not agree, what alternative approach would you suggest?

6. Duration of the consultation   

The consultation will run for nine weeks from 7 April 2026 until 6 June 2026.

7. How to respond to this consultation 

Responses may be submitted by:

Email to: DBSAFVS-IPPH-consultation@mod.gov.uk Ensure ‘IPPH Consultation’ is included in the email subject line.

By writing to:

Business Manager – TO BE OPENED BY ADDRESSE ONLY
Defence Business Services
Ilford Park Polish Home
Forest Road
Stover
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 6QH

Any individual who requires assistance in responding can speak to an MOD Veterans Services Welfare manager by calling the Veterans helpline and ask to be put through to Veterans Services by calling Freephone (UK only): 0808 1914 2 18  

8. MOD response  

The MOD will consider all consultation responses carefully and aims to both provide answers as they arise and then publish its response before the 2026 summer recess of Parliament.

9. How we consult 

This consultation is being conducted in line with the Cabinet Office consultation principles published in January 2016. These principles give clear guidance to Government departments on conducting consultations.

10. Information and Data Handling 

The MOD will process personal data in accordance with the applicable data protection legislation. The MOD Privacy Notice will explain how the MOD will process personal data. This consultation follows the UK Government’s consultation principles.

11. Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)

Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) is set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and requires public authorities, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the 2010 Act,

• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not, and

• foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

This involves having due regard to the need to: a. remove or minimise disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics, and b. take steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.

The equality duty covers the nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

The MOD will use any responses received to inform an Impact Assessment as part of its decision making to close the Home to further applications. Any future review of residency numbers that might lead to closure of the Home and relocation of remaining residents will also be subject to an Impact Assessment.

12. Conclusion

This consultation sets out the background, options and recommendations for the future of IPPH as previously published in the 2003 Independent Review of UK Veterans Services.

It further sets out how they would be implemented and seeks comments on the recommendations. The Ministry of Defence welcomes your feedback on these proposals and encourages stakeholders to provide their views during the consultation period.

Information on how individuals can raise concerns will be provided in communication updates released following the publication of the MOD’s response. However, if you would like to raise an urgent concern before then, please contact us via Email: DBSAFVS-IPPH-consultation@mod.gov.uk 

Consultation principles: guidance

MOD privacy notice: Guidance