AQW 16674/22-27


Mr Colin McGrath
Social Democratic and Labour Party
South Down


Tabled Date: 14/10/2024
Answered On Date: 30/10/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail his (i) immediate; and (ii) long-term plans to extend residential and respite services for (a) children; and (b) adults with learning difficulties, complex needs and challenging behaviour.


Answer:
My Department held a Children with Disability Urgent Summit which took place on 26 September 2024 to consider potential options in respect of improving the regional access to short breaks and residential provision. This was attended by senior representatives from each of the five geographic Health and Social Care Trusts and senior representatives from RQIA.
At the summit the Health and Social Care Trusts where asked to submit short term plans that will support families with behaviour that challenges and increase supports into family homes. These plans are being considered and costed.
Long Term Plans for children
Alongside this following the Review of Children Social Care by Professor Ray Jones in 2023, a number of workstreams were developed as part of the Children’s Social Care Services Strategic Reform Programme to progress the recommendations made within the review. In terms of implementation, the recommendations are being progressed through several workstreams specifically:
residential placement capacity;
fostering;
children with disability; and
family support.
In addition, this work is aligned with the recommendations set out by the Children with Disability Framework, relating to short breaks, residential provision, early help and transitions.
Immediate Plans for Adults
My Department is currently finalising the Learning Disability Service Model which sets out Learning Disability Services through the lens of regional consistency and supporting needs at an early stage in the community. The service model sets out the Department’s vision for transitions, health & wellbeing, meaningful lives & citizenship, families & carers, home and mental health & behavioural support services.
Long Term Plan for Adults
It is envisaged that families and carers will be offered flexible, practical and emotional support that they need to support individuals to live in the community and have a meaningful life. This will involve increasing the level and diversity of respite/short breaks services, including consideration to modernise existing services and environments to better support those with more complex needs. Public consultation on the model is anticipated to take place late 2024.