Agenda item

Members were reminded that a review of Council provided Day Services for adults with learning disabilities was being carried out and the consultation on day opportunities had closed on 31 October 2021.  The aim of the review was to ensure that the offer was equitable, in accordance with assessed eligible need, promoted independence and met individual outcomes in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

Resource Centres were building based and very well staffed, with ratios often 1:1 or 1:2 due to the complexity of need.  101 service users accessed these Centres, with 85 accessing them regularly.  Connect Centres were also building based but for adults with less complex needs.  90 adults accessed these Centres, with 79 using them on a regular basis.  In addition, 286 adults accessed alternative provision through the market, therefore Council provision was in the minority.

Details of the consultation activity was provided in the Agenda and a final decision on the future day services offer would be taken by the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care.

Officers reported that generally, people were happy with the provision that they were receiving and it had been noted that improvements would need to be made in the information, advice and guidance given during the transition period between children and adult services.

During the ensuing discussion, key points included:

·         Transition arrangements between children and adult services could be started from age 14, although an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) was in place until age 25.  The Young Adults Team was responsible for transition and challenges occurred when a young person was in receipt of an EHCP but it was known that they would not be eligible under the Care Act

·         Early indications suggest that there was sufficient capacity and capability across the County to meet the needs of those adults with less complex needs.  The provision would need to grow, however, with support, Officers hoped for a changing menu of provision

·         When asked what support would be available to service users during any change, Officers confirmed that it would be well managed and in a person centred way as any change could be a challenge to the individual

·         Advocacy assistance was provided throughout the process and this would continue

·         Across the Resource Centres and Connect Centres, 121 full time equivalent staff were affected.  Staff consultation had not begun, however, the Council would want to retain staff wherever possible and be transparent in the next phase of development

·         Officers and Public Health colleagues were working with providers to stimulate the market before the process of tendering and procurement.

The Cabinet Member commented that the Directorate was aware of the numbers of young people coming through the system, but their needs were very different to those older than them and the system currently in place needed to adapt.

The Panel was reminded of the combined discussion with the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel on the All Age Disability Strategy, which had been arranged for 11 January 2022.