main content Opening up opportunities for people with learning disabilities

In Bromley we have seen some real changes in how people with learning disabilities live their lives as a result of the Council’s strategy to enable people to have greater choice and control over their day time activities, including improving opportunities for employment. This week, following extensive consultation with people who use the services, their carers and families and partner organisations, the Council has agreed the next steps of this strategy, which include: 

• people with learning disabilities planning their own days through person centred plans; 
• supporting young people with learning disabilities so they move into training, education and jobs and maximise their potential; 
• including people with learning disabilities in community safety plans to stop bullying and hate crime; 
• working with voluntary groups to increase person-centred life skill training; 
• developing travel training to support greater independence;
• improving access to health services;
• and, because the Council recognises that different people have different needs, ensuring those with more complex needs can get extra services and support so they can take part in the ordinary activities most of us take for granted.

Council spokesperson said: “Since the improvements began in 2003, the impact of the changes so far on the lives of many people with learning disabilities in Bromley has been remarkable. What’s important now is to make sure that we continue to make progress, so that people with learning disabilities can live their lives in safety, doing the things most of us take for granted and having greater choice about how they spend their days doing things they have chosen to do with the people they want to be with.”

There is already a wide range of community-based opportunities at adult education colleges and at leisure centres and these will continue to be developed. There is support to gain life skills that can result in independent living in the community and an increasing number of people with learning disabilities have the opportunity to work. Bromley Council is amongst the top three Council’s in London supporting people with learning disabilities in work through its innovative social businesses developed in partnership with Shaw Trust. 90 people a week are working and this includes 16 people with complex needs, making this approach innovative and unique to Bromley. Next steps will see further work with employers and Jobmatch to support people into employment, including developing the role of the Council and the NHS as an employer.

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

• Following publication of the Government’s White Paper ‘Valuing People’ in 2001, Council consulted on major changes to the provision of day services for people with a learning disability.
• In 2003 Executive agreed a modernisation programme, which has been implemented over the past five years with significant changes in day time opportunities resulting in a shift from reliance on large day centres and huge increases in numbers of people accessing employment, learning and leisure opportunities.
• The Council continues to consult as it develops its modernisation programme.
• Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk) for ‘Valuing People’.
• The Learning Disability Partnership Board will monitor the implementation of the strategy. 
• For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Day, Communications Officer, on 020 8313 4390 or email amanda.day@bromley.gov.uk