Agenda item

[To carry out pre-decision scrutiny on the future of adult short breaks services and Oxley Plus day service.]

Kathy Roper, Commissioning Team Manager provided a paper to outline the process and outcomes of consultation that has been undertaken about the future options for:

·         Support Plus day service currently delivered from a number of sites across the City including Oxley Day Centre

·         Pathways to work service at Bushbury woodcraft centre in Steele Drive

·         Adult Short breaks services delivered from two sites in the City

The Commissioning Team Manager highlighted that the consultation around Oxley Day Centre had been positive with service users and their families recognising the proposal focus on better use of resource and integration for their sons and daughters.

In relation to Ernest Bold and Swan Bank short break provision feedback from family carers relating to the consultation is again positive, as long as the quality of service is not compromised.  She advised there was some underlying concerns about change.

Cllr Rita Potter voiced concerns that the clients had different needs and asked for reassurance that they would get the individual care they require.  The Commissioning Team Manager assured panel that the staff will be well versed and trained in supporting them. Staff comments from the consultation were also positive better outcomes for more people whilst contributing to the Councils savings by achieving value for money.  She advised that alternative use was being discussed by the corporate landlord and the landlord for Swan Bank.

In response to an issue raised by Cllr Lynne Moran the Commissioning Team Manager clarified that there had been a printing error and contrary to the newspaper report there would be no staff losses from the proposed changes; a further article would be run to confirm this.

Cllr Patricia Patten asked for further information about use of the GEM Centre in Brickkiln Lane for overnight stays and was advised that the consultation had shown that families were not keen on the option.  She asked if the new premises would be run on a basis where it could respond to family emergencies and was advised that should an emergency occur other families had indicated that they would be happy to change to facilitate the emergency.

Cllr Bishan Dass welcomed the report and indicated that he supported independent living.

Resolved

1.    That the All Age Disability In House Provider decommissions the service at Oxley Day Centre and provides the services across the city in community venues which will improve outcomes for individuals.

2.    That the All Age Disability service decant from the Oxley site including Oxley Moor House.

3.    That the sites are declared surplus by the People Directorate and approximated to the Corporate Landlord to manage as surplus assets and deal with the progression of their future use / disposal.

4.    That the All Age Disability In House Provider Service relinquishes its lease with Corporate Landlord for the use of the Pathways to work Site in Steele Drive, Bushbury.

5.    That the All Age Disability in-house providers merge the service provision for adult short breaks from the Ernest Bold and Swan Bank sites.  The new merged service provision will be delivered from the council owned Ernest Bold site.

6.    To note that the item has been considered as a pre-decision scrutiny item and will therefore not be available to call-in once a decision is made by the Executive.