New council strategy to help vulnerable people

A new strategy to help some of the most vulnerable people in Derbyshire is being considered by the county council. 

The specialist accommodation and support strategy is designed to help reduce the number of people with complex needs in institutions.

Allied to the NHS's Building the Right Support programme (formerly Transforming Care), the plan includes working with partners to offer the right kind of supported living for those with the most complex needs, plus community support for people who no longer need institutional accommodation.

Glossopdale councillor Jean Wharmby, DCC's cabinet member for adult care, said: "Keeping people in institutional settings is not the best way to look after our most vulnerable residents. By working with our partners to create the right type of suitable, well-located accommodation, plus expanding the kind of support people need in the community, we’ll be able to help people live as independently as possible, and where possible closer to their family and friends." 

Building the Right Support is a national NHS programme, designed to improve services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism who display behaviour which is challenging and who may also suffer from different mental health conditions.

There are currently 43 Derbyshire patients within the Derbyshire Building the Right Support programme, plus 37 patients with long-term mental-health conditions living in long-term rehabilitation units outside Derbyshire. 

The county council has developed a five-year strategy and action plan to create the right kind of support and accommodation.

Its key priorities are due to be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Thursday 19 September, which include:

• Reducing the number of people placed in institutional and residential care outside Derbyshire
• Increasing the number of suitable, well-located and affordable housing across the county for all client groups with complex needs
• Developing step down/step up/move on facilities
• Specially-designed accommodation to meet the needs of client groups.

To ensure the strategy’s success, the county council say they will work closely with its partners in the borough and district councils and in health, including the Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group which commissions health services for Derbyshire residents.

Councillor Wharmby added: "This is very much a joined-up approach and part of the integration of health and social care. It not only supports our strategic aims as an Enterprising Council, it also underpins the Joined Up Care Derbyshire joint vision for health and social care. By working together, we’ll be better able to help people with complex needs to live as fulfilling and dignified lives as possible."