Fears for vulnerable residents at prospect of home closure
FAMILIES are fighting plans which could see the closure of a residential home for people with learning disabilities.
Relatives of the seven occupants of The Trees, in Hinckley, fear the close knit group will be separated and shunted to other sites across the county.
They say the wrench would be immensely traumatic to the residents, who have all lived together for years.
Meetings between Leicestershire County Council officials and relatives have taken place and an eight-week public consultation is expected to start on February 19.
The county says demand for residential care is falling while current policy focuses on personalised support in the community. Officials also say the building itself is no longer suitable.
It maintains rigorous effort will go into finding the most suitable alternative accommodation for all residents affected.
Once empty, the county plans to remodel the inside to create two four-bedded units for short break respite.
The move, along with changes to other provision in the county, would save around £100,000 from an adult and communities department budget which needs to trim £11 million by 2021.
Barry Francis, aged 40 from Leicester, has an aunt, Pat Murray, who has been at The Trees full-time for eight years but had respite stays for much longer.
He said: “She is 70 in March this would be a hugely upset- ting.
“For an ordinary older person any move is hard but for her it would just be horrendous. I’m genuinely afraid for her.
“It’s like a little community there, like a family and the staff are brilliant. I think the proposals are absolutely disgusting.”
Tony Robinson, from Burbage, is also worried about the plans. His son James, 35, who has cerebral palsy is a quadriplegic and suffers with epilepsy, has lived at The Trees for six years.
He said: “During one of the meetings with the county offi- cials I asked where the residents would be moved to and they said they couldn’t tell me. Basically they have no idea where James and his friends are going to go apart from it will be in Leicestershire.
“The Trees is perfect for him. He’s been going there for 20 years and living there for six. He is very well cared for. The staff know him and the others inside out, they know all their little quirks and requirements. He is really happy there.
“One of our fears is if he goes into the private sector. Those homes are run by business peo- ple so you do worry about the standard of care.”
A report on the proposals, which would also see two centres in Coalville closed and the sites sold off, will be discussed by the cabinet of Leicestershire County Council on Friday February 9.
Subject to approval, consultation would begin on February 19 during which the adults and communities overview and scrutiny committee will consider the matter before the consultation outcome is reported back on June 5 with the issue going before cabinet again on June 12.
Richard Blunt, the county council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “The most important aspect to these proposals is to ensure that residents receive care and support which is as good as they are currently receiving and which continues to support them in the future.
“We’ll work closely with residents, families and staff and, subject to approval on Friday, we’re also planning to fully consult on the proposals between now and April.”