Protest over council’s daycare for learning disabled reform plans

Carers and trade unionists have joined forces to challenge Glasgow City Council’s planned reform of day services for people with learning disabilities.

Councillors, who are to decide on the proposed closure of three day centres in January, attended an an emotional meeting with the parents of service users on Monday.

The carers spoke of their exhaustion and fears of how they will cope if the facilities are removed for more than 60% of those catered for.

Speaking in November when the proposals were announced, Glasgow UNISON’s Sam MacCartney said: “The proposals will see current daycare services removed for 320 service users.

“Currently there are 520 users who attend daycare services across the City, this will reduce to 200.

“In addition three centres will close leaving just four to service the whole of Glasgow. There will be no council centre available in the north west of the city.

“This must not be seen as a done deal and UNISON will be vociferously defending these council services.”

The council argues that the reforms aim to “maximise opportunities within a wide variety of community settings” while “moving away from the traditional use of day centres” which it says are “often in poor physical condition”.

A council spokesman said: “A consultation is now under way and we are working to a detailed plan that aims to bring forward views from the widest possible range of stakeholders.

“Input from the trades union is an essential part of the consultation process.

“The results of the consultation exercise will be included in a paper with clear proposals for the way forward on learning disability day services, which it is hoped will go to the executive committee in January, when a decision will be taken.”