Reshaping of services for adults with learning issues

DAY services for adults with a learning disability or autism could be reshaped based on feedback from users and their families.

Staffordshire’s Adult Learning Disability 2022 Community Offer programme has been speaking to people who use day services over the past few months, to get their opinions on what currently works and how services could run in the future.

The resulting report to the county council’s cabinet next week outlines a number of options and the council is now planning to encourage people to have their say on the options.

Alan White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing, said: “From the feedback we’ve gained from service users so far, it’s clear that our community offer for people with learning disabilities needs to change so they are fit for the future.

“Although the services are used by only a relatively small number of people, we are committed to ensuring they are given the best opportunity to be part of their local community,

“As with our Whole Life Disability offer, we want to engage with as many service users, families and carers as possible, so we can design services that really make a difference to people’s lives, helps them achieve the independence they have told us they want, and prevents the need for long-term reliance on social care services.

“The way we support people in the future needs to be about ability, not disability, about focussing on what people can do and building on these strengths so that they can live full and independent lives for as long as possible.”

If approved by Cabinet on January 16, subject to call-in, engagement will begin on January 23 and run for five weeks, with a full report on feedback presented to the county council’s cabinet in April.