A PUBLIC consultation about learning disability day services is underway across Cheshire West.

Nearly 7,000 people across west Cheshire have some form of learning disability or neurodivergence with almost 500 currently attending learning disability day services commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

A review of learning disability day services has been taking place to make sure people aged 18 and above who have a learning disability, or neurodivergent people, receive support that meets individual needs and provides value for money.

Cheshire Disabled People’s Panel hosted a series of workshops throughout 2023 to gather the views of: those currently accessing day services, those not currently accessing them, support staff, carers and family members, current providers of these services and providers who do not currently delivery them.

The result of these workshops were six proposals for public consultation, looking at:

  • providing different options for how care and support are funded
  • providing greater choice for people over when and where they access community activities
  • improving access to transport to attend activities
  • introducing a new booking system for activities and transport
  • increasing support to help people into paid employment and learn new skills
  • improving the way we share information about the activities available.

Councillor Sheila Little, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Hearing from people with lived experience has been key throughout this review.

“We’ve worked with people who have a learning disability, neurodivergent people and those who support them to look at how we can improve learning disability day services in the future.

“Not only have they helped create the proposals we’re consulting on, but they’ve also played a key role in developing our resources to make it as easy as possible for everyone to engage with this consultation.

“Coproduction has been at the heart of this review since the very start.”

How to have your say

Residents can visit the Cheshire West and Chester Council review website for detailed information about these proposals and to find out how they can take part in the survey.

Alternatively, you can write to: Learning Disability Day Services Review, Insight and Intelligence, Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA.

You can also email: lddayservicesreview@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or call 0300 123 8123 to speak to the Council’s Contact Centre, quoting ‘Learning Disability Day Service Review’.

A paper copy of the survey will be made available at public libraries, day centre and on request.

The Council is running a range of sessions both in person and online so people can provide their input.

  • Tuesday, February 27, 5pm to 8pm – online via Microsoft Teams
  • Thursday, February 29, 10am to 2pm – face-to-face session at Firdale, Northwich
  • Wednesday, March 6, 3pm to 7pm – face-to-face session at Lightfoot Lodge, Chester
  • Thursday, March 7, 9.30am to 12.30pm – online via Microsoft Teams

While you can simply turn up to the face-to-face sessions, you’ll need to book a 10-minute slot for the online sessions.