Agenda item

The day opportunities strategy has been co-produced over the past eighteen months with a range of stakeholders and achieved project milestones to inform the final draft for Cabinet approval. This supports a mixed model of day opportunities and the continued need to retain availability of traditional building-based day services alongside further development of community-based options.

The draft strategy and two proposals regarding Tricuro day services were submitted for recent public consultation. The consultation feedback and necessary review of the day opportunities budget in line with Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) considerations have led to the recommended options.

The Commissioning Manager – Disabilities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The day opportunities strategy had been co-produced over the past eighteen months with a range of stakeholders and achieved project milestones to inform the final draft for Cabinet approval. This supported a mixed model of day opportunities and the continued need to retain availability of traditional building-based day services alongside further development of community-based options.

The draft strategy and two proposals regarding Tricuro day services were submitted for recent public consultation. The consultation feedback and necessary review of the day opportunities budget in line with Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) considerations have led to the recommended options.

The Committee discussed the report including:

• In response to a query regarding the closures of the Plus centres during Covid detailed in the report, the Committee was advised of the feedback gained from users which included that the majority were happy with the alternative provision, however it was acknowledged that some were struggling to adjust and that there had been requests for refurbishments and adaptations.  Some of the proposed adjustments were detailed and it was noted that once the strategy had been approved, these could be progressed.
• In response to a query regarding the improvements needed to be made to Parkstone Connect to accommodate the users being relocated from Poole Plus and their feelings regarding the move, the Committee was advised of the work ongoing through engagement and the potential refurbishment work which could be undertaken.
• In response to a concern regarding how the data had been gathered and collated, the Committee was advised that when the proposals were sent out to consultation two options were detailed, following criticism of the limited consultation and the options provided, the Committee was advised that this would be feedback to the consultation team.  ACTION.
• In response to a concern regarding the adaptations detailed and whether, if they were necessary, when would they be undertaken, the Committee was reassured that Poole Plus users could be relocated to Parkstone Connect without any adaptations however there were some enhancements which could be made which would require capital funding, subject to approval. 
• In response to a query regarding the day centre buildings which were no longer being used or required, the Committee was advised that they would be considered either for an alternative use within the Council or they could be sold, and any monies could then be deployed within the Council.
• In response to a concern that the strategy detailed it would improve services for users, which would not be the case for users of the Highcliffe Day Centre before its closure during the pandemic, the Committee was advised that the strategy had taken a long time to develop and it was felt that the mixed model of day opportunity buildings together with enhanced community based provision would be beneficial to the majority of users.
• In response to a query regarding micro providers, the Committee was advised of the ongoing work identifying services which were required and finding micro providers to match the needs of users.  It was highlighted that although some of these providers would not be directly commissioned by the service, they would be commissioned by individuals through direct payments or personal funding.
• In response to a query whether full consideration had been given to keeping some of the proposed buildings open but widening their use within the community to increase viability, the Committee was advised that some of the buildings were not running at full capacity and once the strategy was approved, further consideration to engaging with community groups to maximise use would be undertaken.
• In response to a concern that any proposals should be data driven, the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing advised that the Day Opportunities Strategy had been developed through coproduction, consultation, and engagement over the last 18 months and that the recent consultation had focused on the day opportunities building provisions.

The Chair concluded the item by advising he would feed the views and concerns of the Committee to Cabinet for consideration.

RECOMMENDED that the

a)    Committee review BCP Council’s Adult Day Opportunities Strategy for any comment.

b)    Committee scrutinise the recommended option for Tricuro Day Services review and provide any comment for Cabinet consideration:

Connect services to remain open and incorporate Highcliffe, Wallisdown and Westbourne Plus services already based there. In addition, Poole Plus to be relocated to Parkstone Connect and Moordown Plus service to remain open. Highcliffe, Wallisdown, Westbourne, and Poole Plus original sites to be closed.