Issue - meetings

Assess the impact and outcomes for the residents on the move from Whitehall Street to alternative service provision based on current policy and best practice, with specific reference to those at Campsbourne.

Beverley Tarka, Head of Learning Disabilities, gave an overview of the move from Whitehall Street to Campsbourne.  The following points were noted:

• The policy direction nationally is one towards enabling people to have more choice and control over their lives.

• The Service feels that the move to Campsbourne encapsulates this policy direction.

• Adults worked closely with Housing and identified an uneconomic void, where the cost of renovating the property for a family was too high.

• Capital investment was approved for this property to be redeveloped using the Community Care Grant and the Housing Revenue Account.

• Work was undertaken in a tight timescale of 6 months.

• Residents of Campsbourne were encouraged to chose their own colour scheme for their new home.

• There are two care staff at Campsbourne at al times.  These are being paid for by the service users using personal budgets.

• Documents such as a Service Level Agreement and Protocol were created specifically for this piece of  work.

• Residents at Campsbourne have had post-placement reviews to assess how they are getting on in their new home.

• An Independent Mencap Advocate has been commissioned to do a review with the service users who are now residents of Campsbourne.  Overall this review found the residents to be very happy in their new home and enjoying an active social life.

• One resident commented that she was unable to view Campsbourne before moving in and that she would have liked to have done so.  The Panel were informed that this was due to health and safety issues.  However, they are considering this as a lesson learnt for any future project.  It was also noted that photos were taken and put up at Whitehall for residents to be able to see pictures of where they would be moving to.

• The unit cost at Whitehall Street was £1800 as opposed to £1200 per week at Campsbourne.

Yvonne, next of kin for a resident of Campsbourne, made the following points:

• There was a lot of consultation about the move from Whitehall, however there was no choice as to whether or not they wanted Whitehall to close – this decision was made by the Council.
• The new home is closer to Yvonne and therefore more accessible for her to visit.
• Campsbourne has a more homely feel that Whitehall did.
• Her relative now does her own shopping which she has never been able to do before and has settled in much better than had been expected.
• Yvonne feels that the staff at Campsbourne are wonderful and very caring.
• Yvonne is very happy with the overall outcome.

The brother of a resident made the following points:

• Felt the move was rushed
• Would have preferred his sister on the ground floor but choice was not available.
• Very happy with the staff at Campsbourne.
• His sister is happy being able to go out and into the community.

Edenvale (Care Providers for Campsbourne) made the following points:

• Two members of staff who previously worked at Whitehall were able to  secure jobs with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9