The proposed construction of hundreds of flats for elderly and disabled people in Warwickshire, is likely to boost social care recruitment.

Councillors from Warwickshire County Council are due to meet this week to discuss plans for 20 extra care home developments which would provide at least 500 properties by 2013.

The developments will allow older people to live independently in their own self-contained homes, with the option of using communal facilities. Residents will also benefit from having 24 hour care if they need it which will create a number of social care jobs in the region.

In 2007, the Care and Choice Accommodation Programme (CACAP) was set up to review the county's care homes and discuss possible alternatives to traditional care services for older people and young adults with disabilities. CACAP's target was to have a minimum of 500 affordable units in place or planned for Warwickshire by 2013, 20 of the schemes had to be finished or have been approved for construction by the end of 2015.

However, Councillor Izzi Seccombe the council's portfolio holder for adult, health and community services told the Coventry Telegraph that there is need for the process to be fast tracked.

"We would like to see all 20 extra care developments finished or approved for construction by the end of 2015. Extra care housing offers older people and younger adults with disabilities more choice, control and independence. So the sooner we can complete the programme, the better," she said.