A Fulfilled Life
We will help all people with learning disabilities to shape and live a full and meaningful life. Here you can find information on the changes we are making to transform services for people with learning disabilities.
Carer and Customer Briefing
Background:
/ People with learning disabilities in Warwickshire told us they wanted to live a fulfilled life. In particular they want to:- have and keep a job
- be able to travel independently
- learn new skills
- enjoy their leisure time and
- make new friends and relationships.
/ We used this information to develop the Learning Disability Strategy 2011 – 2014.This was approved by Cabinet in June 2011.
The strategy provides clear aims of the things we want to achieve and what steps will be taken to make sure that people with a learning disability have a fulfilled life.
/ What is the “A Fulfilled Life” Project?
The “A Fulfilled Life” (AFL) project is about working with customers and carers to transform day opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
This is in line with:
- our overall aim to give our customers greater choice and control in their lives, and
- the results from the consultation, where people told us this is what they wanted.
/ How will I have greater choice and control?
In Warwickshire we have introduced Self-Directed Support. Sometimes it’s called personalisation or personal budgets. Whatever name is given to it - it is about giving people real power and control over their lives.
It enables customers who have been assessed as eligible for social care support to have greater choice and controlin deciding how the support they have is provided.
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/ What will this mean for current Learning Disability Services?
Feedback from the consultation told us people wanted more choice. Therefore our current services need to be changed to fit with what people want and need so there is more choice available to them.
/ We are currently developing detailed plans to change the current day services towards a new model made up of 3 key areas:
- an employment service
- community hubs (which are places where people can go for information and advice) and
- a service for people with complex needs.
/ These 3 areas, together with the use of personal budgets, will provide greater flexibility and choice to live a fulfilled life.
At this stage we are writing a report about what we need the new service provider to do, we call these specifications. Then we will ask Cabinet on 17th November to agree our specifications and that we can ask providers to apply to provide the new service. This is called procurement.If this is approved we hope to have more details on these services in March 2012.
Where can I find the outcomes of the consultation?
The outcomes are available on our website:
Your frequently asked questions
/ Will money be saved as part of this process?
As you are aware, particularly in the current climate, we are always looking at providing services on a best value for money basis and this service is no exception.We think that by changing the way we offer different services this will save money.
/ Does this mean you will be closing the centres?
Not necessarily, it depends on the outcome of the procurement process. Once this is known we will need to look at the options for our buildings.
For people with complex needs we will continue to provide a buildings-based service – this will be similar to what we provide now, but will offer better opportunities to access local and community services.
/ Why don’t you just improve the buildings?
The services people told us they wanted cannot all be provided within a building – they are outin the local community – so the buildings may no longer be necessary.
/ Will I lose my place at the day centre?
This will depend on your level of need. We will supportyou to understand the best way to meet your outcomes.Outcomes are your goals in life and what you would like to do.This may mean attending a day centre, or it may mean using community-based services.
Whatever happens, your needs will be met and discussed with you and your family if you wish, when we complete your individual support plan.
/ Where do I go during the holidays?
Our customers manage their support differently when the current day services close for holidays and training days.
Therefore you are used to making arrangements to receive the right levels of support at these times - so nothing should change.
/ Will I still be able to see my friends?
We know that attending a day centre is also an opportunity to meet with your friends – that is an important outcome.
When you meet with the Moving on Team who are workers who will help you to develop your support plan, it is important that keeping in contact with your friends is talked about and plans are put in place to make sure this still happens.
/ I am worried about my routine changing
If you need a regular routine we will ensure that where change is needed, you are part of the decision making process. If this needs extra support to manage change then this will be made available to you.
5 / How many services for people with complex needs will there be?
We plan to have 5.
1.North Warwickshire
2.Nuneaton and Bedworth
3.Rugby
4.Warwick and
5.Stratford.
/ What will the staffing be for the complex needs service?
We will make certain that there will be enough staff to meet a person’s need. Once we have met with everyone, we will know how many staff is needed.
/ Will the new staff have the right training?
The new services will make sure that staff has all the right skills and training needed to meet your outcomes. This will be a requirement for them and we will be checking to make certain this happens.
/ Can I keep my Key Worker? I may not be happy about having my personal care from people I don’t know.
This depends on whether or not your support plan includes this. Some staff will no longer be providing the same services, so key workers may well change. We will be able to discuss this nearer the time when you meet with the Moving on Team.
/ Will I have a named social worker?
You will be supported through the whole process by a team of social workers and support staff. These people are called ‘The Moving on Team’ and they will stay in contact with you during every stage of the process.
/ How will I get to the new services? Who will provide transport?
Your individual support plan which will be drawn up with you and the Moving On Team will have details about transport and your needs around this.
/ What about those people that live in the very rural areas?
Over the next few months we will meet you to do your individual review. Together we will look at what you need wherever you live and we will support you to make plans to meet those needs using the available resources and by creating more imaginative ways of meeting them.
/ The current day centre members of staff are valuable in noticing problems and reporting worries about people's safety. How will this be replaced?
Any new providers will have to follow the same sort of policies and rules about keeping people safe.
/ Will I be safe with people who don’t know me? I don’t like unfamiliar places. Will I be able to give it a trial first?
Of course. Every individual plan will always be reviewed and if it is not working for you then we will find solutions that do work to meet your outcomes.
/ What if I don’t want an individual service?
Self-directed support is all about enabling customers to have choice and control over their lives. By working with you using assessment and support planning tools we can help you achieve the outcomes you want, for example, meeting with friends.
/ How will I know what sort of services and support I can expect to receive?
To make sure you get the right amount of support the Moving On Team will arrange meetings with you so that we have the right information about you to help you make decisions.
However, you can tell us at any time if you feel your needs have changed.
/ At the individual support planning meetings we will look at your support plan and see if your support is still helping you to achieve your outcomes. We will look at what you want to change, or keep the same, and check that the amount of money for your personal budget is meeting your needs. A personal budget is the amount of money which is available to pay for your support.
/ How will you monitor the quality of the new services?
We will make certain that the services you receive are good by checking on them through an audit. We have already started to work out what a good service will look like so people who audit them will know what to check.
/ How do I speak to someone if I don’t understand or want further information?
You can contact the Team Manager in the first instance.
This is Alison Malcolm or Jackie Grant, and their contact details are:
- Alison Malcolm Tel 02476 754117 and
- Jackie Grant Tel 01926 731186
/ Can I have an advocate?
If you need an advocate then we will support you to contact one and be supported by them.
/ Where can I get more information?
You can find information in our Learning Disability Partnership Board newsletter, or you can attend one of our information sessions. They will be held between10am – 12pm and 6pm – 8pmon:
Monday 17th October
Emscote Centre
Nelson Lane
Warwick
CV34 5JB
Monday 31st October
Seasame Centre
Fawsley House,
25 Hillmorton Road
Rugby
CV22 5AB
Wednesday 9th November
Shortwoods
Dordon
Tamworth
B78 1TP / Thursday 20th October
Newbold Centre
Leicester Street
Leamington Spa
CV32 4TE
Tuesday 1st November
Saltway
Alcester Road
Stratford upon Avon
CV37 9DD
Thursday 10th November
Freeway
Park Avenue
Nuneaton
CV11 4PG
We would like to ask you:
How can we help you get the most from the improvements we are planning?
Please return to:
Learning Disability Partnership Board
Saltisford Office Park
Ansell Way
Warwick
CV34 4UL
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