Agenda item

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That it be agreed that officers continue the work to reconfigure the borough’s activities offer for people with learning disabilities; and

(c)  That the decision of the Director of Adult Social Care, taken under the delegated authority given by Cabinet on 18th July 2016, to close the Elliman centre on the 1st of January 2017 be noted.

(d)  That the references from the Health Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 23^rd November 2016 be endorsed:

  i.  That the Commissioner for Health & Social Care work with the Head of Adult Safeguarding and Learning Disabilities to explore further employment and apprenticeship opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

  ii.  That the Head of Adult Safeguarding and Learning Disabilities review the opportunities for residents to use Council facilities and open e.g. allotments.

A progress report was received on the reconfiguration of the borough’s activities offer for people with learning disabilities since the Cabinet decision of 18^th July 2016 to invest £826k capital into the Priors and Phoenix day centre buildings and to delegate authority to the Director of Adult Social Care to close the Elliman day centre building.

Individual reviews had taken place involving service users, their families and/or advocates to ascertain their wishes, interests and needs to determine the support best able to meet their needs.  A breakdown of the outcome of the completed reviews was provided and Commissioners were assured that no service user would leave the day centre without a review and an asset based support plan.  The Cabinet was also informed of the progress that had been made in enhancing the range of community based opportunities which included the Britwell hub, allotment behind the Britwell centre, sports taster sessions and plans to develop ice skating, swimming and assisting maintenance of the borough’s parks.  Work had also been initiated to offer learning and employment opportunities.  As a result of the progress that had been made, the Director of Adult Social Care, following consultation with the Commissioner, had decided that the closure of the Elliman Centre from 1^st January 2017 be approved.

The Health Scrutiny Panel had received a report on the reconfiguration at its meeting on 23^rd November 2016 and made two recommendations to Cabinet about the enhancement of employment and community activities, both of which were considered and approved.

Commissioners considered a number of other issues including the ongoing relationships with people no longer in receipt of a building based service and the timetable for completing the reviews of service users.  It was noted that service users would continue to be supported by staff, but that for some the setting would change from a centre based to community provision.  There was regular informal engagement with service users outside of the formal review process, which would be completed in a timely manner.  Councillor Bains asked a number of questions under Rule 30 which were responded to by Officers.

The Cabinet agreed to note the report, including the decision taken by the Director of Adult Social Care under delegated authority to close the Elliman Centre, and agreed the recommendations of the Health Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That it be agreed that officers continue the work to reconfigure the borough’s activities offer for people with learning disabilities; and

(c)  That the decision of the Director of Adult Social Care, taken under the delegated authority given by Cabinet on 18th July 2016, to close the Elliman centre on the 1st of January 2017 be noted.

(d)  That the references from the Health Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 23^rd November 2016 be endorsed:

  i.  That the Commissioner for Health & Social Care work with the Head of Adult Safeguarding and Learning Disabilities to explore further employment and apprenticeship opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

  ii.  That the Head of Adult Safeguarding and Learning Disabilities review the opportunities for residents to use Council facilities and open e.g. allotments.