Agenda item

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 Edenvale).  These staff Members have said that residents have blossomed and become more assertive in their new home.
• There are no set menus at Campsbourne – residents can chose what they want to eat.
• Residents are going out more, for example visits to the local pub, and they are able to do this when they chose to.
• Residents able to enjoy every day activities which most people take for granted, for example doing their own clothes shopping and their own food shopping.

The following points were made in response to questions by the panel:

• There is now just one in-house residential provision which is council owned.  This is for people who have very high support needs.
• The Lowry and the Priory are being developed along the same model as Campsbourne.
• It was the families who chose Edenvale rather that Adult services.  This was done by the families interviewing providers.  Before this was done, each potential provider was fully audited by Adults, this included safeguarding.
• The Priory will be for people who have chosen Council respite.
• As a direction of travel Adults hopes to develop more services along these lines.
• All residents are registered with a local GP.
• For future developments Adults would ensure that residents were able to meet contractors a lot earlier to discuss their needs.  They would also drive people around the area so that they have more of a feel for the neighbourhood that they will be moving into.
• Campsbourne is environmentally safe and has a burglar alarm as well as Telecare facilities.
• Both announced and unannounced safeguarding visits have taken place.  There have been no safeguarding issues reported to date.
• Housing Officers have met with the residents.
• Residents have not met with Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

The Panel asked that the Independent Mencap Advocacy review report be circulated to the Panel.

The Panel thanked the representatives for attending and congratulated them on the service change.

Action

Residents of Campsbourne to be introduced to their local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

The Independent Mencap Advocacy report to be circulated to the Panel.