The report of the Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing (Document “P”) updated and informed Members of the progression of plans to reopen building based commissioned Day Services for people with a Learning Disability (LD).

Members were advised that during the suspension of services providers had been asked to explore ways in which staffing resources could be re-allocated to provide alternative methods of supporting people in their own homes and outside.  A number of providers had offered remote support to users and their families and carers via telephone and social media. 

Commissioners had worked with VCS providers in Bradford to contribute to 300 state of the art tablets and internet dongles and they had been delivered across the District to locked down people who otherwise had no way of communicating with the outside world.

Video footage depicting a number of activities undertaken by The Big Soup Theatre Group  was presented and included flash mobs, art pack deliveries and sessions, face mask production/delivery and safety videos.  The footage showed the appreciation of service users and the valuable way they involved people and communicated essential measures. The footage showed a sample of events occurring throughout the District and the joy on the faces of service users involved was acknowledged and welcomed. 

Members thanked the providers for the activities taking place believing that they were a lifeline for some people.  It was suggested that a further report be provided and that services to people with learning disabilities should be prioritised as highly as education.  It was also believed that service users be given a higher priority for the vaccination to enable them to return to activities and it was agreed that investigations would be conducted into the priority designation for learning disabled people to receive vaccination and if their priority could be influenced.  

Members requested they receive the link to the presentation and additional content which time constraints had meant it had not been possible to show and it was agreed to provide a link to that footage.

Measures to support the re-opening of building based day opportunities were questioned and surveys which had been conducted to understand service user experience of lockdown and to provide information on the demand for services and the types of activities required for the future were reported.  It was acknowledged that social distancing measures meant that only a limited number of places were available in buildings at the current time and it was questioned how service users would be selected to return to that provision.  In response it was explained that the Commissioning Unit with support from the infection control team had approved as COVID secure the building based Risk Assessments relating to twelve units delivered by seven different providers.  Social Workers, CCG colleagues and Providers had identified those service users at greatest need in relation to a return to a building based service.  Details of that assessment were contained in Document “P”.

Resolved –

(1)  That every consideration be given to prioritising people with Learning Disabilities as part of the local Covid-19 vaccination programme so that service users are able to access vital buildings-based day services at the earliest possible opportunity

(2)  That a further update be presented as part of a wider report on day services before the end of the municipal year.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing