Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director for Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

1. Cabinet acknowledges the outcome of the 90-day consultation exercise which established the views and needs of users of the current learning disability day service, their families, and carers and younger people preparing for adulthood, regarding the future service offer for people with high support needs.
   
   
2. Cabinet agrees the recommended proposals for a new service offer as detailed in sections 1 and 3 of this report, including a new building at Warden Street in Canklow, complemented by community outreach.

Consideration was given to the report which sought to update on the outcome of the 90-day consultation exercise which established the views and needs of users of the current Learning Disability Day Service, their families and carers regarding the future service offer for people with high support needs. The report also sought approval for the proposals regarding a new service offer which included building at Warden Street in Canklow, complemented by community outreach.

          A consultation exercise had been carried out in 2017 regarding the Transformation of Services and Support for People with a Learning Disability. Included within the transformation programme was the replacement of the existing High Support Day Service provision with a new service offering modern accessible day opportunities with multi-functional fit for purpose facilities, promoting independence, wellbeing and social inclusion. The current Service comprised 2 buildings: Maple Avenue at Maltby which was Council-owned and the Elliott Centre at Herringthorpe which was located on a large NHS-owned site and was leased.

          There were issues with both current sites. Maple Avenue was a previous Children’s Residential Home property over 2 floors that did not meet accessibility requirements. The building also limited the service that could be offered. The Elliott Centre lease was high risk for the Council and service users due to a lack of security of tenure. This was due to the 3 year term and “no-fault” 9 month break for both parties which could mean notice being served and alternative temporary accommodation needing to be found. The NHS was selling land on the same site for re-development which left the site at risk of being a building site along with concerns over access and safety. There were also concerns over equipment, such as the heating system, coming to the end of its life.

It was intended that the current services based at Maltby and Herringthorpe would continue until the new Service was open and people could be moved across. The new Service would be available to all current day services customers, with the expectation of becoming operational on a phased approach by Winter 2024/25.

Details on the consultation process were set out in section 1.2 and 1.3 of the report with full consultee responses being included as Appendix 1. The Service Options Appraisal was attached as Appendix 2 and outlined the options for delivery of a new service. The Site Options Appraisal, attached as Appendix 3, detailed the outcome of findings and site visits by the Council’s Asset Management Team. Following the consultation there had been a 50/50 split on whether users wanted one large building centrally located or 2 smaller buildings in different areas. The Site Options Appraisal, therefore, looked at the comments and opinions from the consultation; the availability, location and suitability of sites; best value and investment of the £2.1m to secure the highest quality facilities and service; and delivery of the best possible outcomes. A total of 29 potential sites had been identified. The proposal also took account of the service offer that was to be in place at the new facility.

The preferred option as set out in section 3.3 of the report was that the Service would operate from one large new build centrally located building, complimenting the community outreach support across the Borough to support local communities. The current Elliot Centre and Maple Avenue would be decommissioned and a new site developed at Warden Street, Canklow.

The Service Offer was specifically discussed during the meeting. It was confirmed, as per section 1.10 of the report, that any Service Offers currently delivered would continue under the new model. The new Service would be multi-functional within the heart of the community and welcome support and involvement from local businesses, community groups and voluntary sector organisations. The offer would focus on community connectivity and would support people with complex support needs delivered in a person-centred manner. This would be alongside a hub for wider community activity, learning and skill development.

This report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-decision scrutiny process. The Board fully supported the recommendations but asked that consideration be given to ensuring that any consultation undertaken on Service design was inclusive and took account of the differing needs of current and prospective service users/groups across the range of protected characteristics. They also requested that further consideration be given to mitigating the potential carbon impact of disposal/demolition of Council assets related to the scheme.

Resolved:-

1.    That Cabinet acknowledge the outcome of the 90 day consultation exercise which established the views and needs of users of the current Learning Disability Day Service, their families, and carers and younger people preparing for adulthood, regarding the future Service offer for people with high support needs.

2.    That Cabinet agree the recommended proposals for a new Service offer, as detailed in sections 1 and 3 of the report, including a new building at Warden Street in Canklow, complemented by community outreach.