main content £830,000 boost for adults with learning disabilities

Additional schemes to support adults with learning disabilities to live more independently in the community will be set up as the Council moves to reduce over-reliance on residential care outside the borough.

While recognising that residential care may be the best option for some people with very complex learning disabilities, the Executive has agreed to set up an £830,000 project to review current placements with a view to assisting more people with learning disabilities to return to community based accommodation with appropriate support.

The Council will individually assess those affected by these proposals, and will ensure they and their families are fully involved in planning their future by providing additional resources for support and independent advocacy.

Executive councillor for social care, health and housing Chris Phillips said: “We have already been successful in setting up supported living schemes for adults with learning disabilities but we have more to do to help those previously placed in residential care to take up these same opportunities.

“This project will enable us to assist more people to live the kind of everyday lifestyles enjoyed by others and reduce our use of out of borough residential care, which can be extremely costly.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• There are currently 218 adults with learning disabilities in residential care: 153 independent out-borough; 52 independent in-borough; 13 Council-run.
• Currently 102 people receive housing and care through a supported living scheme: 47 independent in-borough; 41 Council-run; 14 independent out-borough.
• Supported living can range from a few hours support a week to 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, and types of housing can include:
• shared ownership;
• living with family members;
• shared housing/living with a group; 
• individual tenancy;
• home ownership; and
• lodging, fostering or family placement. 


• The average cost of a residential placement is £800 per week.
• Residential care currently accounts for £8.6m of the £14.1m learning disabilities budget (2005/2006). 
• Budgets forecasts show the residential placement budget will need to increase by £1m each year if alternative options are not found.
   
• For media enquiries, please email richard.simcox@bromley.gov.uk or call 020 8313 4310