Proposals to consult on changing support for people with learning disabilities and/or who are autistic are set to be considered by Derbyshire County Council next week.
Members of Cabinet, who are set to meet on Thursday 11st April, will be asked to consider seeking people’s views on plans to redesign the way it provides day opportunities and short breaks.
The report being discussed will hear that following a previous consultation, the council transformed services to create new day opportunities to help people with learning disabilities and/or autism lead safe, fulfilling lives in their community.
This work, says the report, has shown that they want to be as independent as possible with equal access to opportunities and services such as housing, leisure activities, jobs, health and transport.
The county council now operates four day centres including Outlook in Long Eaton and other sites in Chinley, Alfreton and Chesterfield, which are used by a total of 57 people for an average of 3 days per week.
It also expanded its team of Community Connectors to work with more people to find alternative opportunities to building-based services which help them create connections in their local community, explore their interests, increase social activities and gain valuable skills.
Councillors will also hear that short breaks are provided to 55 people at sites including the Petersham Centre in Long Eaton plus elsewhere at locations in Swadlincote, Alfreton and Brimington but with a further venue in Glossop having remained unused since 2020 due to its lack of suitability.
The report highlights the valuable role of carers who look after loved ones at home and the importance of reliable, planned short breaks to give them a break from caring responsibilities.
It also recognises the need to make sure plans are in place in the event that they can no longer care for their loved ones so the proposals include plans to develop people’s independent living skills during short term breaks and to work with families on longer-term contingency planning in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Like many authorities across the country, the council is facing budgetary pressures far greater than experienced before, due to factors beyond its control.
These include dealing with higher than anticipated inflation, higher prices for fuel, energy and materials, meeting the cost of the national pay award and the continued unprecedented increase in demand for adults’ and children’s social care services.
The council’s financial position remains challenging with a predicted shortfall of £40m in the budget for this financial year 2024-25.
To help the council get the best value for money for its services, at a time of increasing financial pressures, it needs to review how people’s assessed care needs are met and to what extent it provides those services itself.
At the meeting, Cabinet will be asked to agree to consult on two options for each of the services:
Day Opportunities
OPTION 1:
- Discontinue the use of Outlook in Long Eaton and sites in Chinley, Chesterfield and Alfreton which would recognise the growth and success of Community Connectors, and would continue to support people to access alternative day opportunities in their local community
OPTION 2:
- To retain Outlook in Long Eaton plus No Limits in Chesterfield but discontinue use of the Alfreton site which needs £1.7m of repairs, as well as Chinley which only supports 9 people travelling an average of 16.5m to attend.
Short breaks
OPTION 1:
- Discontinue the use of Petersham Centre, Long Eaton and sites in Brimington and Swadlincote
- Discontinue the use of the Glossop site - unused since 2020.
- Retain the Alfreton site for planned short breaks only with the capacity to support 100 people for 36 days each a year. This proposed option would enable staff to support people with learning disabilities and /or autism and their families with long term and contingency planning, for example by working towards independent living skills.
OPTION 2:
- Retain the Morewood Centre in Alfreton and the Newhall Bungalow for planned short breaks only and discontinue the use of the other facilities. Under the proposals these would have surplus beds while meeting the current demand of 55 people accessing short breaks with an ability to respond to future demand.
Cabinet Member for Adult Care Councillor Natalie Hoy said: “We remain committed to supporting people with learning disabilities and/or who are autistic, their families and carers. People with learning disabilities have told us they want the same opportunities as everyone else - getting involved in their community, going out with friends, learning new skills or finding work. We have been developing services that help them to achieve these ambitions but we also have to ensure we’re supporting those who need us most.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on being a well-managed council, balancing our books from year to year, but like all other councils across the country we’re facing increasing financial pressures that are outside our control and with demand for adult social care support rising, it means we have to consider how we continue to deliver the services we are required to by law.”
Spending on adult social care support in Derbyshire accounts for almost half (48%) of the council’s overall budget. The county council currently supports around 2,000 people aged 18 to 65 with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Councillor Hoy added: “I’d like to reassure people that these are proposals only and, if Cabinet agree to consult, no decisions would be made until we had heard everyone’s views.”
To read the report in full visit: Agenda for Cabinet on Thursday, 11 April 2024, 2.00 pm - Derbyshire County Council