Social work manager outlines benefits of service ‘personalisation’

Supported holidays, clubs and swimming sessions are just some options Dundee City Council says it could offer through greater ”personalisation” of services for adults with learning difficulties.

The proposed closure of the Kemback Street Resource Centre has become dogged by controversy, with users concerned about their options, but Arlene Mitchell, who is part of the team bringing about the shift to more flexible support, said the key aim is to offer wider support so individuals have more opportunities.

Led by two government initiatives — the Self-Directed Support Bill and the Same As You report — she said Dundee’s social work department is making good progress.

”We are some way down the road to greater personalisation anyway,” said Mrs Mitchell, service manager for learning disability services.

”The number of individuals who stay in hospital has reduced significantly. The number of people who have their own house or share with one or two others has improved significantly. The amount in employment or education has increased.”

She said there are still a number of adults with learning disabilities and autism in the city who started their life in Strathmartine Hospital or a care home, but she said people now have a much wider range of options.

”In the last five years people leaving school with a learning disability have a different expectation of what their lives are going to be,” she said. ”Parents have expectations that their children will have a different life or experience.”

During consultation with service users, parents and carers, she said there have been calls for a greater range of things to do.

”Most individuals with a learning disability are keen to have more opportunities than they currently have,” she said.

”When we consulted we’ve consistently been told they want more options, a different lifestyle, they want contact with friends not just in a day centre 9-4.”

One of the key issues raised by service users has been daytime support.

”There’s been a move nationally from people being in the (day) centres to more personalised support, so if a person wants to go swimming or to a group that is more readily available,” she said.

”There will be some people who will continue to stay in a day centre, but people will have a range of options to choose from. They won’t be compelled to take any one of those.”

Mrs Mitchell added there will also be a greater range of options for people who require a respite service.

”Rather than it be only a person goes to a respite service with two or three beds, some people would rather go on holiday with some support,” she said. ”That’s a really good example of greater personalisation.

”The thread through all the changes is more service and access to support.”

Alan Ross, depute convener of social work, added: ”We are keen to acknowledge it can be a worrying time for people going through the change. Change in relation to anything can cause upset and uncertainty.”