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Cabinet to consider Day Service Offer for people with a learning disability

At its meeting on Tuesday, July 20, Cabinet will consider a recommendation for the Council to further engage with people with a learning disability, their families and carers, staff and partners – to have their say on the future of day services in Rhondda Cynon Taf and co-produce a new day opportunities strategy that will inform clear options for investment, and improve the services available to people in the community so they better meet their needs. 

Click here for the Easy Read version explaining this process.

An Officer report outlines the need for the Council’s Day Service to improve and move towards a progressive person-centred and community-based model rather than the current, traditional ‘day centre’ approach – and improve choices for people with learning disabilities by providing day opportunities that are relevant and meaningful to those who use the service and support their independence as much as possible. The report also presents some of the key issues facing the Council from the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding last year.

The Council’s Day Service supports around 355 adults with a learning disability, and their families and carers, with a range of different support needs – from people requiring minimal support to those with complex needs. The Service is delivered from three large day centres in Gadlys, Treforest and Llwynypia, as well as 11 small community day centres and worked based sites, including those commissioned externally.

Over the pandemic, the Council and Cwm Taf People First carried out several engagement activities for people who use day services to learn from their experiences of the pandemic and to begin to shape future options.

While the feedback received identified that services provided are well-valued by people with a learning disability, their families and carers, it also identified a need to place greater emphasis on supporting and encouraging choice and opportunities for meaningful community activity – including employment to create new offers promoting independence, social inclusion and positive outcomes.

If Cabinet approves for a co-production approach to be taken and wider engagement to be undertaken to develop a new day opportunities strategy, a draft strategy will be produced in the future – for formal public consultation and then a final decision by Cabinet.

The report also recommends that Treforest Day Centre remains temporarily closed due to its serious flood damage, to allow further evaluation when the draft Day Services Strategy is brought forward to Cabinet in the future.

Councillor Geraint Hopkins, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Services, said: “Day Services are a key offer in the Council’s care and support for people with a learning disability – enabling important opportunities to take part in activities, make friends, gain skills and make a positive contribution to their community. The work and commitment of our dedicated staff also provides vital respite for carers.

“We know COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the people who use Day Services as the Council, like other local authorities, hasn’t been able to offer as many places as we could prior to the pandemic. We have tried, under very difficult circumstances, to work with people, their families and carers to confirm support arrangements and we’re pleased that the Council has been able to maintain a prioritised service for people whose needs were assessed as critical throughout the pandemic. We continue to reopen more day service provision as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

“On Thursday, Cabinet will consider a detailed report summarising the Council’s current offer, highlighting the various legislation which is driving change in this area. The report makes it clear that there is a requirement for the Council to modernise and transform its current provision, in order to adapt to people’s needs and their changing expectations of modern day services.

“It is evident from the feedback already received that the range of options in the Service is currently limited, and that now is the right time to reflect and re-evaluate our offer – with a combination of the pandemic and the flooding accelerating this need. While people and their families and carers greatly value the Service, it is right that we look at modernising the provision now for the benefit of future users.

“The recommendation to Cabinet is to continue the process of engagement through a series of events over the coming months. This would allow clear options for investment and change to be brought forward in the future, having been shaped by people’s views. It will ensure the future provision responds to an individual’s needs, rather than an individual having to fit into the service.

“Cabinet will also consider the recommendation for Treforest Day Centre to remain closed for the time being, so options for its future can be evaluated in the context of the future proposals for the wider Day Service offer.”

Posted on 16/07/2021