Community / Plans to increase capacity of services which provide specialist support for adults
MOVES are being made to bolster services to meet the needs of adults with learning disability, autistic spectrum disorders and complex needs, as well as their families.
Two business justification cases for adult services went in front of Shetland’s integration joint board (IJB) on Thursday – one relating to short-breaks and respite, and one about flexible day opportunities.
They were given the thumbs up from the IJB – which oversees health and social care – but the cases will have to be approved by a Shetland Islands Council committees in the future.
The business cases come against a backdrop of increased demand on local services.
Adult services manager Clare Scott told Thursday’s meeting there has been an increase in the number of adults in Shetland with learning disability and autism spectrum condition.
Short breaks and respite is currently provided by Newcraigielea in Lerwick, and a report to members said demand is continuing to grow.
The preferred option in the business case is for a temporary allocation of additional staffing budget to meet current and future demands.
The report said this would cost £220,580, to employ an additional 4.32 full-time equivalent (FTE) social care workers.
Data also shows an “inextricable link between the demand for short break and respite support and the need for supported accommodation”.
Eight of the 18 individuals currently on the housing waiting list are accessing support through Newcraigielea, with more predicted in the coming years.
“If housing needs are met, the dependence on respite facilities is likely to reduce/enable demand to be met within existing resources,” the report added.
Work is said to be ongoing on this area but there does not appear to be suitable solutions within the existing housing stock.
Meanwhile the flexible day services business case included a preferred option to increase the operational budget for extra staff.
Services are currently provided by Eric Gray@Seafield and other organisations including supporting living activity groups.
There is also a suggestion in the business case to explore options for a dedicated space to meet complex needs and behaviour that can be challenging.
The preferred option in this business case includes an increase in staffing over the next couple of years, including an extra 11.14 FTEs at the Eric Gray centre.
Scott said services have relied heavily on agency staff but officials are working towards a “sustainable” operation in the future.
IJB vice-chair councillor John Fraser asked a number of questions to gain more clarity on aspects such agency staff costs – adding that he welcomed the report.
IJB chair Natasha Cornick said the business cases offer a “credible way forward” that is backed by clear evidence.
She reminded members that the services involved are a legal requirement.
Cornick also said it is important to remember about the “person element, our moral element”.
Adult social work manager Ruth MacMillan also said it was also important to ensure human rights of service users and families are maintained.
She said there was a “real risk” if nothing is done.
Councillor Fraser added that there “is an immediate need and there is a legal and a moral obligation that’s upon us.”
Meanwhile carers representative Jim Guyan said “if we don’t do something, unpaid carers are going to end up in crisis”.
“They need respite, they need to look after their health and wellbeing,” he added.
Board member Lincoln Carroll, who runs the Moving On Employability Project, also said there is “much more complexity” around the needs of young people.
In said in the service he runs three-quarters of young people are now with additional support needs, up from one quarter three years ago.
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