Issue - meetings

Members received the presentation of the Director: Adult Social Care.

Prior to lockdown, the Council had begun a process of engagement to shape the future of its services and to assess different ways to help those with learning disabilities gain greater independence, which had been followed by a formal consultation on the Learning Disabilities Strategy over the summer of 2020. Wider engagement on the future of support for those with learning disabilities would be relaunched on 30 September 2020 with details available on the Council’s website.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, services had changed dramatically, with all day services suspended in March 2020. Regular contact with individuals had been maintained throughout the period using remote methods, while those most in need had received direct care. There had been a period of adaptation for staff and service users in the move to online support, meeting, activities and activity pack distribution.

Some individuals had thrived under the new arrangements as they had found new opportunities within their communities although for others it had been more difficult. The Council was keen to be able to offer day centre opportunities again, to provide for those users for whom remote contact had been difficult and to provide respite for carers. It was important for the Council to look at individuals and their needs and not to act with a standard response.

Cabinet Members again offered their gratitude to frontline staff in the Borough.