Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

SOCIAL CARE

PART II

SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY

1. The Executive Member was pleased to approve the strategic direction for learning disability services and to recognise the significant services made to date and the achievements of staff in implementing the principles of "Valuing People".

2. The white paper "Valuing People: a new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century" (March 2001 DoH) lays out the vision for learning disability services. Its key principles emphasise the importance of rights, choice, independence and inclusion for people with a learning disability and promote a model of citizenship, social inclusion and choice.

3. The white paper reflected the direction of travel set out be Hampshire Social Services in "Changing for Choice" and the 1999-2004 Commissioning Plan.

4. Progress to date has been made with NHS residential accommodation; Modernisation of day services; Supported employment; Direct Payments; Advocacy; Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership Board; Joint Working with NHS colleagues; Partnership with other organisations; Services for younger and older adults; Person Centred Planning; and Supporting people with a learning disability from black and minority ethnic groups.

5. To enable progress to continue to be made to meet the challenges of implementing "Valuing People", which includes an acceleration of existing work as well as new initiatives, many of the existing services will need to be

    re-modelled in order that they can continue the sound progress made to date and remain fit for the purpose. Key to the success of the process will be the retention of the skilled and experienced workforce. The staff will be supported to work in new ways to make the best use of their skills and experiences in order to maximise the use of community resources and effectively support people with increasingly complex needs.

6. Future developments for clients will include maximising day opportunities; supported employment; respite opportunities; residential accommodation and integration and partnership working.

7. This supports Aims 1, 3 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy.