Cabinet considered the report regarding the recommended changes to the day opportunities model for older people and people with a learning disability.

The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health informed Cabinet that he sought their approval to implement the recommended changes to the day opportunities model for older people and people with a learning disability to ensure that services meet the needs and aspirations of residents.

The original proposal recommended the closure of Windsor Day Centre and Oakbridge Day Centre and retaining Boyn Grove Centre to enable a building bases service for people who needed one. This would be complemented by a service out in the community for those people who do not want or need to be building based.

Consultation was undertaken, he thanked Cllr Rayner for her work in Windsor, and   needs analysis, the final recommendations are to close Windsor Day Centre and Oakbridge Day Centre, retaining Boyn Grove for older people and people with a learning disability. 102 survey responses were received: 57 people (66%) told us they were either a person who used current day services or their family carers, the remaining 45 people were either members of the public who did not currently use services or from groups representing the community.

For people with a learning disability who need a building-based service in the Windsor area, the recommendation was to create a smaller building-based day centre offer for people with a learning disability in Windsor at the Mencap building.  There were already building-based day centres with sufficient vacancies for older people in the Windsor area, Spencer Denney Day Centre operated by Age Concern Windsor and The Old Windsor Day Centre run by Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East. Both day centres receive grant funding from the Council.

Should the recommendations be approved it would ensure that there were building-based day opportunities across the borough and also provided community-based services for people who either did not want or need to be in a day centre.

The Lead Member for Finance and Ascot mentioned how 14 years ago in Ascot it was decided to provide transport from those who needed support for shopping trips.  Providing this support they learnt that there was a desire to be a part of the community and not just go to day centres.  These proposals allowed people to choose the type of service and support was best for them. 

Cllr Davies thanked officers for mailing the consultation as it was difficult to undertake during lockdown.  She mentioned that with regards to Oakbridge Day Centre there were residents who used the building and it was planned to provide alternative provision at the Mencap building in Windsor, however this was dependent on capital funding for upgrading the disabled use toilets and adaptations to the kitchen.  She asked if this funding was not secured what would be done.  She was informed that if capital funding was not available they would still look at meeting these needs.  The Care Act meant we had a duty of care ang the Lead Member had made this provision a priority in the capital build process and was confident that the funding would be available as part of the budget build.

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

i)               Notes the outcome of the consultation and the needs analysis.

ii)             Approves the final recommendation to close Windsor and Oakbridge Day Centres, retain Boyn Grove and to create a smaller Day Centre in Windsor for people with a learning disability.