Adults with a learning disability and their carers are being asked for their thoughts on how replacement care services can be revamped in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
An online survey launches this week, with 8 face-to-face sessions running throughout September, all designed to capture people’s views on what they want from their replacement care services.
Replacement care services, also known as respite care, gives carers of adults with a learning disability a break from their caring role. They can be delivered in a residential setting, or in the person’s own home.
With the coronavirus pandemic affecting how many people can access building-based services at any one-time, social work teams have come up with different solutions to ensure these services can be offered in other ways.
Now, Staffordshire County Council would like to hear from adults with learning disabilities and their carers what they think about the services, and how these can be improved in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The online survey and details of the engagement events are available at: How we design our services – Staffordshire County Council People will need to book an appointment slot at one of the events by emailing wholelifedisability@staffordshire.gov.uk or calling 01785 276567 before September 2.
County Councillor Julia Jessel, Cabinet Member for Health and Care said:
“Throughout the last 18 months, we’ve had to think differently about the respite services we offer, to ensure people can still access services despite restrictions due to lockdowns or social distancing.
“Now, we have a great opportunity to look at these services and understand how we can embrace the changes that have been made, and make sure they are fit for the future. This is where our residents come in. We need adults with learning disabilities and their carers to give us their views, whether that’s via our online questionnaire or in person at one of our 8 district engagement events.
“We can then take this feedback and put a number of options before the county council’s cabinet later this year.”
