Derbyshire residents are encouraged to have their say in two consultations about the future provision of adult care services across the county.
People can give their views on proposals which could transform day services for people with learning disabilities or who are autistic.
They are also encouraged to give their feedback on plans to change support to independent living services to help more people lead safe, independent lives in their own homes for longer.
Both proposals are part of our plans to help residents lead more independent, fulfilled lives in their communities with the right support available to them when they need it.
Direct consultation will be carried out with everyone affected by the proposed changes to both services.
For more information or to request a paper copy of the questionnaires people are asked to email tell.adultcare@derbyshire.gov.uk or contact the Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation Team on 01629 531307. Support will also be offered to anyone who needs help to take part in the consultation.
Councillor Natalie Hoy, our Cabinet Member for Adult Care, said:
“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 two services.
“We remain committed to supporting Derbyshire people and this is about people having the best quality of life they can possibly have. Everyone deserves to live an independent and fulfilling life.
“Instead of trying to fit people in to services we have available we are keen to make sure our support focuses on an individual’s strengths to help them achieve personal goals.”
Under the proposals for day services, people with learning disabilities, or who are autistic, would be put at the heart of services which recognise that everyone has the potential to play an active part in their community, and to lead a fulfilling life with as much independence as possible.
Support would focus on an individual’s strengths to help them gain valuable living skills, develop the confidence to lead the life they want to and develop opportunities to enable them to thrive, while still maintaining some day services to continue to support people with more complex needs.
Proposals to change the older people’s independent living service would mean more people could be provided with low-level support to lead safe, independent lives in their own homes for longer.
Support offered includes help to manage household budgets, or a tenancy agreement, support to feel safe within the home or tackle loneliness. Under the plans the way this was delivered would change to offer short-term support to all adults targeting those most at need to promote independence.
Councillor Hoy added:
“By transforming our services, we would be able to make better use of the resources we have available to help more people.
“For too long we have been delivering a one-size-fits-all approach to support services in Derbyshire. But we are all different and need different things at different times. This is about doing things ‘with’ people rather than ‘to’ them.”
