Agenda item

The Panel considered Slough’s Learning Disability Plan 2016-19 which was a partnership approach to continue to improve and develop services for people with learning disabilities in the borough.  It had been developed by the Learning Disability Partnership Board jointly with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Slough CCG, the Council, services users and their families.  Delivery of the plan would also contribute to the Council’s efficiency targets.

The Plan was split into seven parts and the key elements of the plan were summarised.  It was informed by what people thought of current services and how they could be improved, and incorporated the principles of the Government Strategy ‘Valuing People Now’.  It also took account of the financial climate and changing needs of service users.

The current review of the in house day services for people with learning disabilities was discussed.  The Cabinet would consider a report at its meeting on 18^th July that recommended an increase in the amount of community based activities and a decrease in the number of building based services.  The proposal was to retain and invest in the centres at Phoenix and Priors and to close the Elliman Resource Centre.  In response to questions, the Panel were assured that those people who were assessed to need building based day services would continue to be able to do so, but that others could be best supported through a range of community based activities.  Work would be done with each family to ensure people received safe and secure services which met their needs.  This process was due to be completed by the end of the year with closure likely in early 2017, subject to Cabinet approval.

Members raised a number of issues about the proposal to close the Elliman Resource Centre including staffing issues; the range and quality of community based provision; and how friendship groups amongst users of the centre would be maintained.  An engagement process was in place with staff to prepare for the changes and community based provision was in place and would be identified to meet the needs of individuals.  The Council would seek to maintain friendship groups where possible and this would be monitored.  Officers had a detailed knowledge of the individuals involved and were working closely with them, their families and advocates to understand their precise needs.  Members requested that future such reports to Cabinet come to the Panel for scrutiny first.  The Panel decided not to make any recommendations to the Cabinet at this stage but would be kept informed of progress and would consider whether further scrutiny would be required at a later stage in the process.

Members asked about the diagnosis and support for people at the lower end of the Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly those moving into Slough who may have been misdiagnosed and were therefore not receiving the appropriate support.  It was confirmed that ASD rates were higher than expected in Slough, indicating that diagnosis was not an issue.  Members were invited to consider raising such matters with the Autism Partnership Board if they had specific concerns.  The Panel discussed a number of other aspects of the plan including the performance management arrangements.  It was a high level strategic plan with detailed actions and performance measures sitting below it.  At the conclusion of the discussion, the Panel agreed to note the report.

Resolved –  That Slough’s Learning Disability Plan 2016-19 be noted.