To review the draft Learning Disability Strategy 2018-2028, particularly transitional arrangements between children and adult services, before its presentation to Cabinet.

The Committee was invited to review the draft learning disability strategy 2018 – 2028, particularly transitional arrangements between children and adults services, before its presentation to cabinet.

The Chairman welcomed all in attendance including the witnesses present to comment on the learning disability strategy.

The SCO provided the presentation, as attached to the agenda papers and introduced the strategy.

The following witnesses were then invited to speak: Helen Huxley, a local student; Ian Harper, Service Quality Director, Aspire; Jade Brooks, Deputy Director of Operations Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group; and Mary Simpson, Healthwatch.

In summary witnesses made the following principal observations: 

Helen Huxley

Ms Huxley explained that she was a student who had recently passed through transition and had found a greater level of support after moving from a foster care arrangement to supported living. She enjoyed more freedom than she had experienced previously and wouldn’t change anything about her transition. The transition from sixth form college to college had also been a positive experience and she had settled into the new educational environment very easily.

Ian Harper

Mr Harper explained his involvement with local learning disability charities and advocacy groups. A challenge facing learning disabilities in the county concerned limited public transport and difficulty securing bus passes. There was also a problem in identifying what services were available with sites such as WISH providing some, but not all, details of services. A further challenge concerned the withdrawal of support for people with moderate or lower learning disabilities. Mr Harper explained that people with learning disabilities wanted to work or to volunteer and identified the 50/50 challenge in Gloucestershire as a good example of securing vocational opportunities for people with learning disabilities. Planning around transitions was felt to be too little too late and the impact on wellbeing and families was felt to be significant. It was queries when an alternative to 1 Ledbury Road would be opened and an accessible version of the strategy for people with LD was proposed.   

Jade Brooks - CCG

It was important that the learning disability strategy linked to the children and young people plan. The strategy needed to support people with learning disabilities throughout their lives and the links to employment and housing. Some elements of the strategy may only affect a small number of people but access to good healthcare was paramount. There was a challenge to address health inequalities and better access to healthcare. The strategy also provided for people transitioning back in to the county following receipt of LD services elsewhere.

Mary Simpson - Healthwatch

The tone and aspirations contained in the strategy were welcomed. There was a need to ensure the effective use and access to universal services and establishing best practice in ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place for people with learning disabilities. A system wide implementation of reasonable adjustments was required which should be commissioner-led. There appeared to be training initiatives in some areas of the strategy but not in others. Access to day opportunities and integrated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56