We wanted your views on our proposal to join together the learning disability day services at Firstfields and Linden Court. We are then proposing to close the Firstfields building.
There is a separate consultation on our overall plan to review day services.
Who can take part?
We particularly wanted to hear the views of:
- people who use the services at Firstfields and Linden Court
- parents or carers of people who use the services, and
- staff working at Firstfields and Linden Court.
Background information
We want to make the day services that the council provide better. We want to keep the good things about day services, such as being with friends and the chance to learn new skills. There are also some things that we think are not good that need to change. Improving day services is a key aim of the Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy.
We want to make sure all day services are:
- good quality, and
- good value for money.
To do this we will review all our day services over three years. We will look at one area of the county at a time, starting with the Eastbourne Downs and Weald area (including Firstfields and Linden Court), then Hastings and Rother (including Conquest Centre and Beeching Park) and finally Lewes and North Wealden (including St Nicholas Centre and Southview Close).
Please note -we are also asking for your comments on our plans to review directly provided day services:
Why we need to do this review
The number of people using day services has been going down and many young people are choosing not to use these services. Also, the buildings need to be improved and the location of them could be better.
We want to increase the options people can choose from, such as:
- personal budgets
- support to get a job
- skills and training
- community opportunities.
It is not an option to do nothing.
Why do we want to join the Firstfields and Linden Court services together?
The number of service users attending Firstfields is falling faster than at any other day centre. It would cost £1.3 million to refurbish Firstfields to a good standard. The building is limited in what it can offer.
Linden Court offers more choice and is more flexible. It has a good environment that supports people's needs. Also, the refurbishment has already started at Linden Court. The building has space for all service users from Firstfields.
Important things to remember:
- there will be a place at a Day Service for everyone that needs one.
- any changes would only happen after we have looked at people's needs.
- we will keep the good things about day services.
For more detailed information on the proposals see the report to Cabinet (also as an Easy Read version):
Closing date
This consulation closed on 7 March 2012.
We asked for you to comment either using an online questionnaire or by downloading a form and posting it to us. You could also attend the meetings we held at the four centres.
All responses received will be treated in the strictest confidence.
What happens next?
What you tell us will help inform the County Council Cabinet report on the proposals. After Cabinet has met again to look at the proposals in April or June 2012 we will write to everyone affected to say what will happen next.
Help and enquiries
If you have any enquiries about this consultation, please contact the team on:
Phone: 01323 849 611
Email: asclddpsconsultation@eastsussex.gov.uk
Post:
Firstfields/Linden Court Consultation
Admin team
A Floor, North Block
County Hall
Lewes, BN7 1UE
Help and advice for people with a learning disability
You can dowload an Easy Read version of the survey below. If you need help to complete a survey form, please ask someone you trust such as a support worker or carer. If you don't have anyone to help you, call us on the number above.
East Sussex County Council