Launch of the Joint Commissioning Strategy for Adults with Learning Disabilities
Cllr Ben Gray, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, has hailed the launch of a new strategy to support adults with learning disabilities within the region.
The Vale Council, alongside Cardiff Council and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, are behind the Joint Commissioning Strategy for Adults with Learning disabilities, which provides a clear direction for the planning and delivery of provision over the next five years.
It also outlines key issues that will be addressed during this period in order to provide effective, safe and good-quality services.
Set amongst the plush surroundings of the Copthorne Hotel, the launch was attended by around 200 service providers, adults with learning disabilities, carers and third-sector organisations, who heard a range of talks and presentations throughout the day.
Cllr Gray said: “This strategy represents an important collaboration between three organisations which have come together to not only improve the range of services available to adults with learning disabilities, but also the way they are delivered.
“By working together and listening to the people that matter most - those that use the services - I’m confident we can offer better provision and make a significant positive impact on people’s lives.”
There are a number of specific aims contained within the strategy that are designed to be of real benefit to those with a learning disability.
These include:
• Ensuring those requiring support can access it in their locality, reducing the need for excessive travel and stays far away from home.
• Encouraging more people with learning disabilities to access an annual health check and assisting them to attend appointments.
• Increasing numbers involved in exercise and other positive lifestyle activities.
• Helping those with learning disabilities to make and maintain friendships by developing more varied social groups.
• Recruiting a Learning Disability Liaison Nurse to work with staff on the wards of the University Hospital of Wales.
• Developing the use of social media and technology to assist with information sharing and increase people’s independence.
• Forging stronger links with agencies to provide greater opportunities for paid employment.
One of the launch highlights saw a young man use his communication device to describe the work being done by his physio technician, nurse and speech and language therapist to support him to thrive physically and mentally.
The communication device has allowed him to gain more independence, whether by supporting him to order a coffee in Costa or chat about football with friends.
The Vale Day Opportunities service was praised by the mother and carer of a young woman who uses it. She spoke about the full and busy schedule her daughter is supported to access by caring and committed staff and the invaluable respite this provides her and her husband.
This was followed by another young woman, assisted by the Support Planning Service, who revealed she felt ‘happy and confident’ after being able to sample the likes of horse riding and rock climbing.
There were also emotional accounts from carers, who highlighted the personal struggles they have endured attempting to access support for their children’s needs.
Closing the day, Cllr Gray said: “Thank you for a wonderful event. We’ve had fantastic presentations from people who use services and from carers, who very kindly shared their experiences both good and bad, and from professionals who work with people with a learning disability.
“Today was such a positive experience and with the strategy we can do so much more. The next event will be the marker of how we’re doing and how we’ve listened. This is a good start, but it is about how we show you that we are listening and developing and taking things on board.
“There was a really important message about stability and the role something like a day centre service can play in continuity. Stories about how people can say, ‘that’s me, those are my friends and I’m valued there’. That was really powerful.
“We were reminded of the importance of the need to promote independence and improve lives. The hard work really does begin now, turning all these aspirations, needs and wishes into reality.”