Erewash Borough and Derbyshire County residents are being encouraged to have their say on proposals to change the way support is offered to people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
The consultation will seek people’s views on options to re-design day opportunities and short breaks provided directly by Derbyshire County Council.
The council operates four day centres incuding at Outlook in Long Eaton which are used by a total of 57 people for an average of 3 days per week. Short breaks are provided to 55 people at sites including the Petersham Centre in Long Eaton.
The 12-week consultation will run until 17th July and anyone can take part by filling in an online questionnaire here.
Paper copies of the questionnaire will also be available on request in standard and easy read formats and support can be provided to anyone who needs help to complete it.
A series of public drop-in sessions will also be held at Derbyshire libraries where people can give their views or get help to fill in the questionnaire.
In Erewash, these will be held between 10:00am and 12noon on: June 6th at Long Eaton Library, Tamworth Road, and on June 18th at Ilkeston Library in the Market Place. Just outside the borough, there will be an additional session on June 19th at Heanor Library on Ilkeston Road.
Direct consultation will take place with people who currently use services, their families and carers with additional centre-based meetings being held for them to give their views.
There will also be two virtual meetings for members of the public to attend on June 10 and June 18 between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.
Councillor Natalie Hoy, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Care, said: “We’d like to hear from as many people as possible and I’d like to reassure people that everyone’s views will be taken into consideration before any decisions are made about the future of these services.
“People with learning disabilities have told us they want the same opportunities as everyone else - getting involved in their community, going out with friends, learning new skills or finding work.
“We have been developing services that help them to achieve these ambitions but like all other councils across the country we’re facing increasing financial pressures that are outside our control.
“With demand for adult social care support rising, it means we have to consider how we continue to deliver the services we are required to by law to support those people who need us most.”
The options being consulted on include proposals for long-term contingency planning in case of unforeseen circumstances or if families found they could no longer care for their loved one.
Councillor Hoy added: “We recognise the valuable role of carers who look after loved ones at home and the importance of reliable, planned short breaks to give them a break from caring responsibilities. These proposals would aim to increase our capacity to provide these important breaks for families as well as creating opportunities for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to develop their independent living skills.”
To request a paper copy of the questionnaire in either standard or easy read format, for help to fill in the survey or to book a place at an online meeting contact the council’s Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation Team on 01629 531307 to leave a message and one of the team will call back or email tell.adultcare @ derbyshire.gov.uk