Derbyshire residents are to be asked for their views on plans to change support to help more people lead safe, independent lives in their own homes for longer.
Cabinet agreed to consult on the future provision of the Older People’s Independent Living Service with a view to re-designing it in the future.
Currently the service supports anyone over 55 who is eligible for housing related support to remain living independently at home for as long as possible by connecting them with locally-available support and organisations.
It aims to provide low-level support to promote people’s independence - such as help to manage household budgets or a tenancy agreement, support to feel safe within the home or to tackle loneliness - to prevent or delay the need for people to rely on traditional council services.
But councillors heard that people were not being supported equitably around the county. The report also stated that the way the service was delivered continued to reinforce dependency rather than promote independence.
Cabinet agreed to ask people who use the service for their views and what they think about plans to develop a new short-term service available to all adults, targeting those most at need.
Following the 12-week consultation a further report will be presented to Cabinet with options for the future of the service based on feedback received.
Councillor Natalie Hoy, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Care, said: “For too long we have been delivering a one-size-fits-all approach to support services in Derbyshire. But we are all different and need different things at different times.
“If these changes went ahead we would be able to start to work on designing a new targeted offer of support to help people to remain independent at home in a way that puts them at the heart of services so we are providing support that suits their needs.
“We hope that by working with people to build their confidence, connect them to their local community and involving them in decisions they can lead the life they want to.
“This is about doing things ‘with’ people rather than ‘to’ them.”
The current contract to run the service is due to end in March 2024. Everyone who currently receives the service will continue to do so while the consultation goes ahead.
As part of the normal democratic process the consultation will launch on Monday 28th March. Direct consultation will take place with people who currently use the service and a questionnaire for people to fill in will be made available on the county council’s website.