Issue - meetings

This report updates on progress made since April, including the findings of the needs analysis, options appraisal and next steps.

Wendy Lucas addressed the Panel, she informed them that this was her fourth statement to them regarding the future of Newton House. She said that the formation of the Working Group has been helpful as families and officers have been able to share and learn from each other.

She stated though that she was concerned whether communications between departments were as good as they could be as despite the information contained within the report, she was aware of at least one family that were told that Newton House was closed for referrals, and they would have to access a service in Gloucestershire.

She said that the parents involved are realists, understand the budgets involved and are aware that compromises need to be made. She added though that the users of Newton House were entitled to have their statutory needs met.

She urged the Panel to keep this issue firmly on their agenda and to ensure that all departments involved are made aware of any changes relating to the status of Newton House as soon as possible.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if she knew why families were being turned away when within the report it is stated that Newton House is under occupied by 40%.

Wendy Lucas replied that the email she had seen was from a family who were desperate for respite care and were told that they could have a place, but that this would be around a two hour drive away from their home. She said that she felt this was unacceptable when places are available.

Councillor Hardman asked if she could confirm that families are supportive of Option 1 (Dimensions continue to run a respite service at Newton House post January 2026) as set out in the report.

Wendy Lucas replied that this was correct and said that they want the provision to remain in place for as long as possible. She said that they acknowledge that the Council cannot run a service of this type and therefore it must be done by a commercial provider.

She added that time must be built into the process for service users to transition should a new provider be required.

She said that trust between the families and the Council has been rebuilt to some degree since the beginning of the year, but that assurance was still needed over a continuance of service.

Councillor David Harding asked if she felt that the figures for demand to use Newton House were accurate.

Wendy Lucas replied that the figures being used were connected to those service users that had received a statutory reassessment, but she believed that some were still due to be carried out. She added that the packages of care involved are huge but said that full capacity respite would be even more expensive.

Councillor Lesley Mansell asked if families were being given a real choice.

Wendy Lucas replied that she felt that they were not and some were being told to take what is being offered or their case  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9