Issue - meetings

(CSP: 1 & 8)

Purpose: To report on the findings of the consultation on the policy for supporting adults with a learning disability. This policy replaces ‘Local Services for Local People’ and clarifies how the Council will support adults with a learning disability.

Resolved that the Policy for Supporting Adults with a Learning Disability be adopted.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 6^th December 2013, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 6) which outlined the findings of the consultation on the policy for supporting adults with a learning disability. This policy would replace ‘Local Services for Local People’ and clarified how the Council would support adults with a learning disability. It also clarified what service users and their families could expect from the Council.

The main changes to the policy included highlighting that the first option would be to support people to remain living with their family; a shift in emphasis from providing services locally to putting in appropriate arrangements which might not be in the district; providing clarification in respect of resources; and a focus on ensuring the Council used good quality services.

Section 3 of the report set out the policy consultation process and the feedback that had been received.

Councillor Joe Mooney highlighted the fact that page 29 of the agenda set out the principles which would underpin planning and service delivery for people with learning disabilities across West Berkshire.

Councillor Roger Hunneman referred to out of district placements and he asked what was being done to minimise those placements and also what was being done within West Berkshire to provide additional facilities. He also mentioned the right of assessment for carers and queried what was being done to improve such an under-resourced service. Councillor Mooney thought that he had responded to Councillor Hunneman in respect of delays to assessments and what was being done to improve the situation and he therefore did not propose to go over that information again. In regard to out of district placements Councillor Mooney assured Councillor Hunneman that wherever possible clients would be placed within West Berkshire and he highlighted a recent case where one individual had been brought back into the district to the delight of his family. Councillor Mooney advised that land at the Phoenix Centre was also being used to provide support to people with learning disabilities in the community.

Councillor Tony Vickers referred to the call for sites and stated that there was a piece of land in north Newbury near Castle School which would be ideal and he queried whether the site at the Phoenix Centre would be sufficient. Councillor Mooney responded that he did not know what the future requirement would be – he had been told that there would be an increase but the number was not quantified. He did ask Members to make him aware of any suitable areas of land that became available as there was a shortage of sites and he therefore thanked Councillor Vickers for the information.

RESOLVED that agreement would be given for this policy to be adopted by the Council.

Reason for the decision: To note comments received during consultation and adopt the amended policy.

Other options considered: None.