Agenda item

[Report of the Director of Adults and Health. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health]

The proposal to change the model of delivering day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities requires a formal public consultation process before consideration by Cabinet as to whether the Council will adopt the new model.

The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health introduced the report which sought approval to carry out a formal consultation over a period of 42 days on proposals for changes to the delivery of day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and or autism in Haringey.

The Cabinet Member welcomed the consultation process recommended which built on the co-production work with users and carers which had led to the proposals for change. These proposals have been developed as part of a strategy to create more buildings-based care in Haringey and better-quality support. If accepted, these plans aimed to provide greater support to families now and in the future.

The cabinet member  expressed that, as the Council continued to provide more services in-borough so people with complex needs are able to stay living in their communities, there was a need to ensure that the  day opportunities offer met the needs of people with a range of learning disabilities.

Responding to a comment on the change in approach to building based care from the Cabinet Member for Local Investment & Economic Growth , there had been significant co- production and the Council had listened to local people, families , carers and service users, recognising that there was a demand for this service.

In response to a question from Cllr Dennison, it was noted that the proposals had been considered at the Adult Re -Design Group and had also been discussed at the Day Opportunities working sub - group. There had been engagement already with the Partnership Board and there were many kinds of interconnection between the groups.

The consultation information, to be distributed, had been co- designed with the group as well. The Cabinet Member felt that the Council had done it best to propose changes with services users and other interested stakeholders’ involvement. There was already a lot of awareness of the plans to be consulted on during December and January.

RESOLVED

1. To approve a 42 - day consultation on the proposals for a new model for delivering day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in Haringey.

2. That the outcome of the consultation will be reported back to Cabinet in Spring 2021 for a decision on the proposals for a new model for delivering day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in Haringey.

Reasons for decision

These service change proposals enable Haringey Council to increase the in-borough capacity of day opportunities for people with a learning disability and/ or autism, particularly for those with very high needs who often have to travel out of borough to receive a similar service.

All these proposals will provide person-centred support that it is believed will better meet an individual’s needs, but which also make best use of the Council’s resources and public money.

It is not anticipated that people who currently receive and require support in the day to lose an offer of day support. All changes will follow a strengths-based review by a social worker involving the individual and their circle of support wherever possible.

Compared to the current learning disabilities day opportunities offer as outlined in section 6 of this report, the proposals will mean that the Council will be better able to:

•Achieve community inclusion, reduce social isolation and loneliness.

•Develop or maintain existing social networks, community links and activities.

Provide flexible support that is well connected to community-based resources.

Provide breaks for carers.

Maintain and improve resident’s health and wellbeing.

Build capability for employment and stable accommodation

Users and carers have already been involved in co-designing Haringey’s new learning disability and autism day opportunities offer. This has been through developing the new service offer for the provisions at Waltheof Gardens and through helping to shape the Covid-19 offer at Ermine Road. It is through implementing these changes that we need to consult as it will require some people’s day opportunity provision to change to deliver this new offer.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option for day opportunities was not to change anything. The ‘do nothing’ option is not an option as it does not provide for future and some current day service users who struggle to find support in the borough. In response to this and to leave our day opportunities in a better state post-Covid, providing more flexible and ‘normal’ support making good use of our local community assets, we need to plan and consult with our residents on how day services are delivered. This is particularly the case for family carers, where the impact can be acutely felt when they may have to provide additional care when day services are closed or limited.