Staffordshire’s Adult Learning Disability 2022 Community Offer programme has been speaking to people who use day services over the past few months, to get their opinions on what currently works and how services could run in the future.
The county council’s cabinet agreed to take forward a number of options for day services, building-based day opportunities and other services directly provided by the county council for people with learning disabilities or autism.
Although there have been no complaints about the system, or lives put at risk, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has examined the council’s approach.
Whilst not criticising the local authority for the work that it had done in prioritising applications, now the Ombudsman has said that the council has acted unlawfully by not carrying out a full assessment for every case. The Ombudsman added that the council should prepare an action plan so that once the Mental Capacity Act is amended, probably in 2020, it can revise its prioritisation approach.
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Construction work has now started at Greenacres Farm in Baschurch as part of a regeneration project to renovate facilities and construct a day opportunity building for the benefit of all that access the farm.
The farm, which provides learning and training opportunities for adults living with a learning disability, received the funding from Shropshire Council. To ensure the funds could be used specifically for the building work needed, Greenacres teamed up with RAF Shawbury last year (2018) to undertake some key groundwork in preparation for the build.
Day services for adults with a learning disability or autism could be reshaped based on feedback from users and their families.
Staffordshire’s Adult Learning Disability 2022 Community Offer programme has been speaking to people who use day services over the past few months, to get their opinions on what currently works and how services could run in the future.
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A new adult social care initiative promoting independence for adults who need support and offers them the chance to be part of a family, is set to be launched in Stoke-on-Trent.
Shared Lives is a form of social care in which people, who need support to live their lives to the full, such as those with learning disabilities, are matched with compatible Shared Lives carers and families who will support them in their family and community life. Carers are paid a fixed amount rather than an hourly rate and have access to benefits including tax discounts.
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The supported housing facility, on Abbots Road, Abbey Hulton, aims to encourage independence for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
It will provide 14, one-bedroom apartments with communal facilities. The high quality, single storey complex will meet key national housing standards and has been designed to reduce heating bills and general running costs for residents.
Shropshire Council has recently retendered the contract at Barleyfield House in Monkmoor, which has been run by Coverage Care Services for the past 10 years. The five-bed home currently supports 50 families, providing holiday and respite care to adults with a learning disability.
Providers had to bid for the services under public procurement laws. The council is pleased to announce that the winning bidder was Coverage Care who have retained the contract. The agreement will run for two years with an option to extend at the end of the existing term.
With the busy festive season approaching, Greenacres Farm in Walford Health are looking for volunteers to join their small but dynamic team in supporting adults with learning disabilities.
“Our volunteer positions are a great opportunity for those who would like to support adults with learning disabilities in a farm setting, to gain skills and knowledge in agriculture and horticulture. Says Mihaela Richards, manager at the farm.
Wayfarers Day Centre for adults with learning disabilities in Market Drayton are attempting a challenge to walk the distance from Market Drayton to Shrewsbury to raise money for their comfort fund.
Patients with a learning disability, autism or both are set to benefit from over £10 million investment by NHS England to help them lead more independent lives, closer to their friends and family.
The funding will support fourteen local Transforming Care Partnerships – made up of NHS organisations, local authorities and NHS England commissioners, working closely with people who use services, their families and providers – to develop new, high-quality, community services for people in their area. [Includes scheme in Shropshire and Staffordshire]
We’ve just heard that SSOTP will not be renewing their agreement with SSSFT LKS for library services for this financial year. Because of this we will be reviewing our Be Aware bulletins. Sadly we won’t be accepting any new sign-ups from SSOTP staff and will be withdrawing some of the physical healthcare bulletins that we…
‘Changing Places’ toilets are for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as people with other physical disabilities and allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.
The new facility will be in the former Christadelphian Hall on Offa Street in the town and will be supervised and maintained by Creative Choices CiC. The project is also being co-ordinated by Tamworth Boxing Club with £15,000 funding from the County Council
A project developed by Shropshire Council’s Joint Training team and local advocacy group Taking Part (Advocates with Learning Disabilities) is being adopted nationally following an endorsement from Baroness Ilora Finlay of Llandaff.
Shropshire Council and Bethphage are pleased to announce the transfer of day services at Innage Lane, Bridgnorth and Oak Farm, Ditton Priors from the council to Bethphage.
The agreement, for an initial period of seven years, was signed last week and completes a process agreed by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet on 13 July 2016.
Oak Farm is well established and integrated within the local community, and is a supplier of farm produce, plants and preserves from the on-site farm shop and at the local agricultural show. Oak Farm provides opportunities for people to explore new experiences and learn new skills. The farm currently supports 47 adults with learning disabilities, who are supported by 12 members of staff.
Shropshire Council has been awarded over £2.4m to help people with disabilities live independently in their own homes.
The funding forms part of the £25m Government fund announced today (Tuesday 20 December 2016) by Health Minister David Mowat.
Shropshire was one of 52 councils who were successful in their bid and has received the highest amount – £2,415,000 – out of all bidders from the £25m pot.
Friday 30 December at 11am sees a ‘relaxed’ performance, specifically designed to welcome families and groups who would benefit from a more relaxed environment, including people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders, or a learning disability. Theatre lighting, special effects and sound levels will also be adjusted to reflect the audience’s needs.
Shropshire Transforming Care Partnership (TCP) is working together across health and social care to provide coordinated services for people with learning disabilities and autism, with behaviours that may challenge. Over the next three years we will be working with individuals and their families to develop plans to support them in their own communities.
Greenacres Farm in Walford Health are looking for volunteers to join their small but dynamic team in supporting adults with learning disabilities to gain skills and knowledge in agriculture and horticulture.
Greenacres boasts a wide range of fresh produce and bespoke handmade goods, all produced at the farm and which are sold on the premises in their farm shop and at market stalls and events throughout Shropshire.
The 16-acre smallholding is run by Shropshire Council’s adult services and supports around 30 adults. Those who attend the farm are involved in a variety of activities including managing poultry units, and growing perennial garden, bedding and basket plants, as well as soft fruit and vegetables and Christmas trees. All produce is either sold fresh or turned into jams, pickles and chutneys, making them ideal gifts for special occasions.
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust’s Learning Disabilities Intensive Support Team has been shortlisted in the Royal College of Psychiatrists Awards 2016.
The team has been chosen as a finalist in the Psychiatric Team of the Year: Learning Disabilities category.
Day Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities – award of contract for Innage Lane, Oak Farm and The Meres, including Ellesmere Library and Customer Services reprovision.
Come and visit our first pop-up library at Severn Fields, Shrewsbury 19th July 11.00am-3.00pm. Join the library, borrow and return books, get help finding information and evidence, set up an Athens account, find out what the library can do for you and your team.
A Telford & Wrekin Council-run residential care home which provides accommodation for people with profound learning disabilities or complex care needs has been rated “good” by government inspectors.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that Lakewood Court’s 16 residents feel safe in the home and protected from the risk of harm.
The unannounced inspection took place on 15 March and the report says that staff inspectors spoke with were aware of their responsibilities to keep people safe.
A previously bare and uninviting plot of Telford land is to be filled with the sights, sounds, touches and smells of a sensory garden for people with learning disabilities and high level care needs.
The garden, at Lakewood Wellbeing Centre in Wellington, will contain a water feature, wind chimes, garden arch and bench and a variety of herbs and other plants.
Shropshire Council, through the Much Wenlock and Shipton Local Joint Committee (LJC), has a small pot of funding to deliver one-off grants to local organisations or individuals interested in providing or enhancing existing youth activities for 10- to 19-year-olds (up to 24-year-olds, for individuals with learning difficulties) in Much Wenlock and the surrounding parishes.
Two £25 vouchers are up for grabs in the library’s ‘Making the Most of Information’ survey.
To take part, just visit http://goo.gl/AdN4ok by Friday 19th February.
People with learning disabilities in Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin, are being encouraged to get their flu vaccination if they’ve been contacted by their GP.
It is estimated there are 1.2 million people in England that have a learning disability, many of whom also have long term conditions such as respiratory problems. This makes them at risk of complications should they contract flu.
People with learning disabilities in Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin, are being encouraged to get their flu vaccination if they’ve been contacted by their GP.
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