Development of respite care
Giving people a break
The Council is working to improve services for people with
learning disabilities and their carers.
We have recently piloted a ?Short Breaks Bureau?, where people
can choose how they would like to receive respite. So far, this new
pilot has received a really positive response from our customers.
Some have chosen to receive support at home, others have chosen
support to join in activities in their local area or take holidays.
With the Bureau, we can match the support we provide to the needs
of each individual person.
Given the success of the pilot, we are now making the Short Breaks
Bureau service available to everyone who can benefit from the
choice and flexibility it offers. However, we understand that some
people will continue to need residential respite care. Where this
is needed, we will continue to provide what we believe is a safe
and secure residential respite service.
Given the different options that will now be available for respite
care, Birchwood Respite Centre will stop its services from November
2010. Before this happens, however, we will ensure that
arrangements for continued respite care are in place for everyone
who currently uses the Centre.
Between now and November we will continue to speak and meet with
all families who use the Centre, so that everyone is comfortable
with and clear about how they will receive respite care in the
future. We are also welcoming comments from those who would like to
have a say in deciding who will deliver the new respite services on
behalf of the Council.
