LEARNING DISABILITY OPTIONS GO TO PUBLIC CONSULTATION

[Kintyre Forum News]

LEARNING DISABILITY OPTIONS GO TO PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Argyll and Bute Council has arranged a series of public consultation events as part of its review of its Learning Disability service.

The events – which kick off later this month - will outline the shortlist of choices under consideration regarding the modernisation of the service.

The authority is keen that anyone with an interest in the learning disability sector goes along to one of the sessions to learn more about the options and give their views on them.

Councillor Donald McIntosh, spokesperson for Social Services, said: “The review aims to look at how we can deliver our service more efficiently, yet to the same standard of quality.

"There are a number of choices for change, particularly around the council’s buildings-based day services and home and community services.

"We would hope that as many interested people as possible manage to join one of the consultation events to discuss what’s on the table and contribute their views. In order to make an informed judgement on the best way forward, we need to have the widest possible public response.”

The events are:

Monday, August 23 – 3pm – Oban, Lorn and Isles Learning Disability Locality Forum, Lorne Resource Centre, Soroba Road, Oban

Wednesday, August 25 – 1.30pm – Helensburgh and Lomond Learning Disability Locality Forum, The Cottage, 102 East King Street, Helensburgh

Monday, August 30 – 1.30pm – Cowal Learning Disability Locality Forum, Red Cross, George Street, Dunoon

Tuesday, August 31 – 1..30pm – Bute Learning Disability Locality Forum, Phoenix Resource Centre, Rothesay

Thursday, September 2 – 6pm – Kintyre Learning Disability Locality Forum, Woodlands Resource Centre, Campbeltown

Monday, September 6 – 1.30pm – Mid Argyll Learning Disability Locality Forum, Lochgilphead Resource Centre, Lochgilphead

Wednesday, September 8 – 1.30pm – Islands and Video Link meeting. Telephone 01546 604348 to arrange a venue and link

Wednesday, September 8 – 1pm-7pm – Phone In Day – if you cannot attend any meetings or post a response and would like your views noted, please phone 01546 604348 to arrange for someone to call you back

They will be facilitated by Douglas Boynton, an independent consultant, with assistance from local staff.

Hundreds of service users, carers, staff and other interested parties have already been involved in the review.

Last year, five ‘listening’ events were held across Argyll and Bute, with over 400 people attending and expressing their views on both current and future services.

Many others have contributed since then by attending themed workshops, learning disability locality forums and special staff meetings, while others have provided submissions to the project team.

A number of service users and carers have also been involved as representatives on the project board, reference group, easy read group and the test group for the production of the choices for change which now feature in the consultation documents.

The full consultation documents, plus a questionnaire, are available on Argyll and Bute Council’s website at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/ldconsultation.

In addition, they are being issued this week directly to many people including services users, carers, staff, carers groups, community care forums, elected members, MPs and MSPs.

Copies will also be available in resource centres, local social work offices and libraries. Resource centres will also be running their own small consultation groups, and staff will be able to help service users to submit their views either in a group or on an individual basis.

Alternatively, anyone can post their comments to a FREEPOST address in the envelopes sent out with the documents, or hand it in to any local resource centre or social work office.

The consultation period ends on Friday, September 17 2010.