Agenda item

Derbyn adroddiad Cyfarwyddwr Cyfadran y Gwasanaethau Cymuned a Gwasanaethau i Blant.

The Group Director Community & Children's Services took Members through the report which provided Members of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to contribute to the wider engagement and co-production approach of a new Learning Disability Day Services Strategy for Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Group Director informed Members of the background to the report advising that at the meeting of Cabinet on 20th July 2021, Members considered a report on the Council’s Learning Disability Day Service Offer. Members were directed to Appendix 1 for the full report.

Members were advised that the aim was to move away from a largely building based model to a community based model although Members were informed of the intention to retain some building based provision for service users with complex needs.

The Group Director highlighted the requirement for on-going engagement with people with a learning disability, their families and carers, staff and partners and the proposals to co-produce a new day opportunities strategy to transform the Council’s current day services offer and future service provision in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Group Director acknowledged the importance of the results of the engagement to be fed in to the draft strategy and discussed the possibility of returning to a future Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee meeting to provide feedback on this.

The Chair thanked the Group Director for the in depth report and welcomed the opportunity for the strategy to be brought back to Committee at a future date for further consideration and comments.

One Member acknowledged the need to modernise and provide a more expansive and progressive service. This Member also commented on the benefits that can be gained from utilising community resources referencing the example of St Mairs (Cynon Linc).

Another Member noted the requirement for a provision to be provided across the borough highlighting the need for suitable access to services in the Rhondda. The Group Director acknowledged this requirement and gave details of current provisions available at Llwynypia and Ystrad Sports Centre whilst also referencing the aim of the strategy to identify what is required for the future.

Members also raised a question regarding the provision of services for Welsh Language users. The Group Director advised that where it is identified that there is a requirement to provide services through the medium of Welsh that adequate staff resource is in place to provide this.

Members also referenced the option of hybrid service provisions in the future with a mix of building and community resource support. It was acknowledged that this approach will be key to delivering a comprehensive and modern service for users.

Finally, Members acknowledged the key support that is provided by volunteers and wished to thank those who currently are engaged in providing services within the community on a voluntary basis.

Following lengthy discussion Members RESOLVED to:-

1)    Note the information provided in this report and the attached appendix and scrutinises its contents and;

2) Bring back for pre-scrutiny in the new-year after engagement and consultation has happened later this year to align with the Cabinet Work Programme ensuring it’s brought back for pre-scrutiny for members to contribute to the Day Services Strategy.