Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Adults’ Services.

The report of the Head of Adults’ Services was presented for the Committee’s consideration. 

The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services said that before the pandemic, the former Morswyn school building provided activities for approximately 20 individuals with learning disabilities.  When the pandemic restrictions were eased, the Morswyn building could not accommodate the same number of people due to social distancing rules being implemented.  In response to the challenge, the Adults’ Services began using community buildings in the town of Holyhead to hold activities.  Boston Centre Stage and the Sea Scouts buildings have been used regularly.  Traditionally, day activities for people with learning disabilities have been provided from a designated building and the Council has four specific sites which provide activities at Morswyn Day Centre, Holyhead, Gors Felen Day Centre, Llangefni, Blaen y Coed Day Centre, Llangoed and Haulfre Gardens, Llangoed.  It is imperative that people with learning difficulties have a choice of activities and support to live a full and active live and to promote the improvement of confidence, independence and have an integrable place within their local communities.  He noted that the Adults’ Services wishes to develop the model and extend the number of settings that provide day activities for people with learning disabilities in the Holyhead area diverting resources from the Morswyn Day Centre that would help progress the vision.  During August to September 2023, the Adults’ Services Department gathered the wishes of people who use day activities in the Holyhead area and their families.  The aim of the exercise was to ascertain the opinions of users and their families about the activities provided from community settings and to gauge what people want to see in the future.  A formal consultations process was undertaken between 23 October, 2023 to 1 December, 2023 on the future of day activities at the Morswyn Day Centre (a summary of the responses was attached  within the report).   The Portfolio Member highlighted that most people want to see more variety in the day care provision and want more activities to be provided in an increased number of different settings.  He noted that ending the day activities at the Morswyn Day Centre would release resources and allow the Adults’ Services to move resources and staff to extend day activities held in other community buildings.  However, individuals with no experience of community activities were less supportive of the options put forward.  The Adults’ Services will work with these individuals to identify how best to cater for their needs.

The Head of Adults’ Services reported that the ambition of the modernisation of day facilities for people with learning disabilities is driven by the need to expand the facilities within local communities and to address the needs of the service users.  Following the pandemic, most of the service users who attended the Morswyn Day Centre are now receiving a variety of opportunities within other facilities in their communities.  He noted that the provision at the Morswyn Day Centre does not currently address the needs of the service users and ending the day activities at the Centre would release resources and allow the department to divert resources and staff to stabilise and extend day activities held in other community buildings.  The Morswyn building requires essential maintenance work over the next few years as is noted within the report. 

During consideration of the report questions were raised as to how the implementation of the modernisation programme is to be monitored.  The Head of Adults’ Services responded that the transformation period will be undertaken and changes for the service users will take time to adjust.  A monitoring process will be undertaken over a period of six months, with a feedback process to gauge the response of the individuals and families to the provision and the new locations provided by the service.  He expressed that the individual’s needs are paramount within this process. 

Reference was made that the needs of people with more acute or physical disabilities, together with their families should be considered when considering transformation of the service.  The Head of Adults’ Services said that each individual have specific needs and requirements with integration opportunities are at the foremost in the development of each individual.  Discussions will be afforded as to the different options available and are the most appropriate as additional support may be required.  He noted that he was confident that there is suitable provision available.  He expressed that the opinions of the staff are paramount as they are aware of the needs of individuals to develop, and continued dialogue will be undertaken with the service users and their families to address any additional needs.  He noted that there is a specific provision in Gors Felen Day Centre, Llangefni but it is dependent on an individual’s wishes to attend the facilities provided within the Day Centre.  Further questions were raised as to whether transport issues will be an issue to take service users to the facilities as parents are becoming older and do not have the resources to transport their son/daughters to these facilities.  The Head of Adults’ Services responded that different options will be considered as to transportation and having facilities nearer to the homes of the service users and assurances was given that discussions will be undertaken with individuals as to the activities they require.

The Chair raised that following the consultation on the modernisation of the disabilities provision in Holyhead, some users have responded that they do not wish the provision at the Morswyn Day Centre to close and do not wish to travel to other locations provided.  The Head of Adults’ Services said that during August to September 2023, the Adults’ Services Department gathered the opinions of people who use day activities in the Holyhead area and their families, and the response was favourable for the change to be undertaken. He said that it is important to note who responded to the public consultation undertaken at the end of last year.  It was expressed that it is the activities provided which is important and not the location and that the staff and the service users have the variety of opportunities and provisions.

Reference was made within the report that recent engagement and consultation processes have been undertaken.  Questions were raised as to what extent were the processes comprehensive, appropriate, and robust.  The Head of Adults’ Services responded that he considered that the consultation exercise with service users has been comprehensive and positive.  External support was commissioned to ensure that appropriate questions within the consultation process was easy to read and easy to respond to and telephone contacts was also provided to discuss any concerns.  He noted that the consultation was on the Council’s website for a period of 5 weeks which gave people the opportunity to respond.  Further questions were raised as to whether the adequate provisions are available in the proposed locations i.e. hoists, private changing rooms etc.  The Head of Adults’ Services responded that most service users have moved to the facilities within their communities and their needs have been addressed.  However, the remaining service users with intense needs who continue to attend the Morswyn Day Centre will need to be addressed following discussions with the families and to explore if they wish to re-locate to another provision afforded.

Questions were further raised as to how the proposals enable the authority to realise the strategic priorities of the Council’s Plan – 2023/2028.  The Head of Adults’ Services responded that it is an integral part of the priorities within the Council Plan to modernise and to transform services together with the emphasis of community engagement.  He noted that it is important that individuals can participate within community activities which strengthens the community resources that is available. 

In response to questions raised as to what challenges and risks can the Council face in trying to make the proposed plans a reality in the Holyhead area, the Head of Adult said that there is capacity in the Holyhead area to use community buildings for the provision of learning disabilities day opportunities which will enable more choices and variety of activities.  The risks are not to afford different options and opportunities for people with learning disabilities as they need feel part of the community and be able to access modern activities in different locations.

The Chair gave the local members an opportunity to express their opinions as to the modernising and transformation of the learning disabilities day opportunities in the Holyhead area.

The Local Members agreed that people with learning disabilities need to be able to engage within their communities and be able to have opportunities to live their lives to the full and to be able to engage in modern activities. It was expressed that it would be advantages for all members to be able to visit the locations were activities for people with learning disabilities are afforded.

The Portfolio Member of Adults’ Services said that opportunities have been afforded to elected members to attend the different locations the provision of learning disabilities activities are afforded.  He expressed that it is important that elected members visit these locations and to be able to engage with the service users. 

The Director of Social Services said that it is important that people with learning disabilities have a choice of activities they wish to attend and to be able to live their lives to the full. 

It was RESOLVED:-

·         To support the proposals to modernise and transform Learning Disabilities’ day opportunities in the Holyhead area;

·         To recommend for approval by the Executive:-

That integrate service users within the community and to respond to the aspirations of people who attend activities to provide better outcomes.  Continue to transform and modernise the way in which day services are provided with an emphasis on utilising community buildings.  As the use of Morswyn has reduced, bring the existing service to an end.  Declare the property surplus to requirements and invite expressions of interest from other Services.  If no use is identified, dispose of the building and transfer the capital receipts to Adults’ Services.

ACTION : Adults’ Services to arrange for Elected Members to visit Local Authority services supporting adults with learning disabilities.