Issue - meetings

To receive information on the progress in delivering the actions and outcome contained in The Big Plan 2018-21, which is a Health and Social Care Commissioning Strategy for Adults with a Learning Disability, since it was published in 2018.

The Head of Strategic Commissioning – Disabilities briefly explained Item 6, ‘The Big Plan 2018-21 Commissioning Strategy for Adults with Learning Disabilities Progress’, before introducing the People First Forum.

The Assistant Manager of the People First Forum explained the group’s current structure, their aims and vision, the services they provide to the community and the main enquiries that they receive. These enquiries ranged from questions on emotional wellbeing, assertiveness, being heard and the groups and events that the group organise. Members were told of the Safe Place project, the Witness Profiling service, the Easy Read Information and Quality Checking work that the People First Forum had undertaken. The Committee were told about the main events that the People First Forum arrange in the community, including the Big Night Out with Suttles that is attended by 600 adults with a learning disability.

The trainer for the People First Forum explained what the Bill of Rights Charter was, what the main rights were, how the Charter had been developed and how many organisations had signed up to it. The group’s members had agreed that the Charter should include the following rights: the right to feel safe when going out, to feel safe when at home, to receive support when needed, to relationships, to say no, to confidentiality, to independence, to public facilities, to good healthcare, to be heard and to have feelings and more. The Committee were asked whether they would continue to support the Charter and whether it would be part of BCP Council’s plans in the way they work. Finally, the Trainer provided some significant figures and information on how rights had not been respected for adults with a learning disability or autism.

Members commented on the successes of the People First Forum’s work and noted that over 800 people had become members of the group. It was explained that new members often joined after attending a People First Forum social meeting or after visiting a friendship centre. A question was asked on whether the People First Forum could attend the Council meeting at which the Bill of Rights Charter would be considered. The Democratic Officer advised that if the Committee were minded to include this in their recommendation to Council, this could be investigated and the possible arrangements would be assessed.

One member asked about the challenges that adults with a learning disability or autism may face when voting in elections. The Committee heard that Easy Read material was produced nationally to assist people with a learning disability or autism when voting, and that this was very important in supporting them during this process.

The Head of Strategic Commissioning – Disabilities gave a presentation on the Big Plan 2018-21 Progress Report. To start, an overview of the local population of people with a learning disability across the BCP area was given. 820 people received Adult Social Care services, 2,467 were registered with a GP and 7,772 was the estimated number of those with a learning disability in the local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59