Information on Loughborough

Meeting needs of disabled people in Charnwood and Loughborough

Posted on 22/07/2008

disabled sign painted on a road

Plans to develop day services for disabled people in Charnwood are set to take a step forward.

The proposals focus on offering greater choice and are part of a wider County Council move allowing disabled people to decide how their daytime needs are met.

This personalised approach involves increasing independence and supporting people to use community-based services rather than traditional day centres.

To make sure the needs of all service-users are met, changes are being made gradually across Leicestershire and a day centre would also be maintained in Loughborough.

As the current building in the grounds of Burleigh Community College is in a poor condition and needs replacing, a replacement base at Albert Street in the centre of Loughborough is being explored.

A proposed three-month consultation on the model for Charnwood with service-users and staff will be discussed by the County Councils Cabinet next Tuesday (29th July).

 

David Sprason, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Over several years, there has been a gradual shift away from traditional day centres and new service-users needs are being met almost entirely by this more personalised approach.

"However, alongside developing options offering more choice and control, we are planning to retain building-based services for people currently using Charnwood day centre who prefer this."

Background Information:

The County Councils strategy for day services for disabled people was agreed in July 2006. Increasing choice and control for service-users is expected of local authorities and is in line with national policy.

If a consultation is approved, the results will be reported back to the County Councils Cabinet in November.

There are three building-based day centres in Melton, Hinckley and Loughborough. Services offered by Norman Way Day Centre in Melton are due to move to Gloucester House in September and plans for Millfield House in Hinckley are still being discussed.

Social care - www.leicestershire.gov.uk/socialcare

Day services for disabled people consultation - www.leics.gov.uk/...proposals_to_develop_day_service

Learning disability - www.leics.gov.uk/learning_disability