NINE Liverpool day centres are to close as part of the biggest shake-up in social services the city has seen in the past 60 years.

The city’s 12 day centres will be amalgamated into three revamped “super hubs” – with one serving the north, one the south, and another for the city centre.

Those that will close are Acorn, Dovecot, Parthenon, Norris Green, Fairfield, Liverpool 8, St James, Joseph Gibbins, and Speke Resource, while Lancaster, Lime Court, and Alderwood will be revamped.

The council said most of the existing centres were only half full, and money saved by the closures will be ploughed into providing services to more people.

As part of the shake-up, the city council’s three care homes will become temporary rehabilitation centres for people leaving hospital, with a total of 85 beds.

It is hoped this will help prevent people becoming institutionalised.

The council is also changing the way those needing social services are assessed.

The changes will also see those with “moderate” needs – 1,300 people – re-assessed for alternative services.

The term “moderate” will stop being used when assessing new referrals.

But bosses insist that everyone’s needs will be taken care of, but it may not be the council who ends up providing the service.

Cllr Roz Gladden, cabinet member for adult health and social care, said: “This is a really big change that will completely transform the way in which people access and receive care in Liverpool.

“I completely understand that people will be nervous and anxious about it, but the council will be working closely with them during the consultation process to explain exactly what it all means.”