The Committee will receive a presentation giving an update on the Learning Disabilities Day Services.
Minutes:
The Committee’s topic group that had examined the proposed changes to day services had asked for a progress to be given approximately one year after the changes had been implemented. Officers advised the Committee that the closure of St. Bernard’s Day Centre had been very successful. The building was due to finally close on 10 December and transfers of service users to the new facilities had been very positive. Five staff had been made redundant with four officers redeployed.
Havering was now represented on the ‘Dot Community’ website which allowed service users to rate the day opportunities they had used. Work was also underway with partners such as Mencap and the Shaw Trust to improve the pathway into work for people with learning disabilities. Three service users were now in employment.
There was an extended education programme at the new Avelon Place building and also a framework contract with other boroughs to support travel training for people with learning disabilities. Other partnership work was also available to access mainstream services such as Mencap’s accessing theatre project. There were also possible employment opportunities for service users via partnership work with Hornchurch Country Park.
The former Nason Waters and Western Road services had been amalgamated at 100 Avelon Road which was due to formally open on 14 November. The project team for the building had included service users, carers and outside organisations. Officers confirmed that the Western Road site had now been closed.
An open day had been held on 4 November where very positive feedback had been received from clients concerning the new building. Toilets in the new building were a big improvement from the former site and there was also a Changing Places toilet available.
Transport arrangements to Avelon Road had been monitored over the previous four weeks and all but one issue had now been resolved. Five people had already asked to undertake travel training which would also reduce any transport difficulties. Services were now offered for longer hours – 9 am – 4 pm but services users could also attend for e.g. half a day if they wished. Officers thanked the Committee for their support of this work and confirmed that there was now positive support for the new services from both service users and carers.
Interviews had been held for the post of manager of the new centre but no appointment had been made as it was felt the applicants had not been of sufficient quality. Officers added that the current interim manager was very experienced and had a lot of interpersonal skills. There were also six support posts in areas such as cleaning and gardening that were open to service users. Job descriptions had been drawn up and these opportunities were being progressed with the Rose Project and Mencap.
Several Members reported that they knew attendees at 100 Avelon Road who, while initially reluctant, had since become very happy with the services offered and enjoyed attending the new facilities. Officers accepted that support still had to be offered to people who were more institutionalised but felt that service users should also be challenged where appropriate. Members also reported that clients at 100 Avelon Road were enthusiastic about being asked for their choice of activities etc.
The Committee agreed that a presentation with more details on the planned travel training should be scheduled for the Committee’s meeting in spring 2013.
Officers clarified that the new centre covered the capacities of both the previous buildings but now offered more activities. Little work had been done thus far with the local community although connections had been made with the rangers in Hornchurch Country Park and also with Rainham Village. An open day or fete was planned for the summer and it was also hoped to hold three open garden weekends per year where fruit and vegetables could be sold. Officers felt that having the Changing Places toilet on site would also help support other activities in the local community.
The Committee noted the update.