Learning Disability Engagement Platform
Since 2021, we have worked to establish engagement opportunities with individuals and families in receipt of learning disability services. The Learning Disability Engagement Platform is made up of two groups, carers and service users. The carers platform is made up of individuals with lived experience of being a carer of a person with a learning disability. The service user platform is made up of a group of adults with a learning disability.
Learning disability – Carers and Familes
After a period of closure during the Covid-19 pandemic, day care services re-opened in July 2020. However, families / carers reported a severe restriction in access to these services in order to mitigate the high risks to this vulnerable group of the spread of Covid-19. During this time, the PCC worked with 20 families in the drafting of the Pathway reflecting their experiences of services within the intervening period. A number of carers also attended the Task and Finish Group, chaired by the PHA, representing the wider group and issues. The pathway was fully approved by the minister on 4th Feb 2022.
In July 2022 carers met with the Department of Health (DoH) and were informed of the implementation of the Pathway and what stage each HSCT were at with their rebuild plans. The Remobilisation Pathway of Adult Day Care, Short Breaks and HSC Transport, PHA Further Guidance (2022) and HSCT reported data are now publicly available on the DoH website. The DoH continue to engage with the group to ensure services.
Although the platform continues to engage with the DoH around remobilizing of services there are other areas of focus the group are keen to move into.
The DoH have recently requested that the group also connect into the Regional Service Model for Learning Disability. The regional service model for learning disabilities in Northern Ireland is a set of guidelines and procedures that determine the delivery of services for individuals with learning disabilities in the region. The model aims to provide high-quality, person-centered care and support for individuals with learning disabilities and their families.
The model is built upon three key principles:
- Access to services - all individuals with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland should have equal access to services, regardless of their location or personal circumstances.
- Personalization - services should be tailored to meet the individual needs and preferences of each person with a learning disability, promoting choice, independence and control.
- Partnership - services should involve individuals with learning disabilities, their families, carers, and other stakeholders in their design, delivery and evaluation.
The regional service model includes a range of services and supports, including diagnosis and assessment, early intervention, community-based care and support, specialist services, and transition planning. It also provides guidance on the use of technology and assistive devices to facilitate independence and inclusion.
The engagement with the PCC Carers group in Learning disability will ensure the model is developed in collaboration with those with lived experience, to develop and deliver a responsive, high-quality services to meet the diverse needs of individuals with learning disabilities in the region.
Transport has been an ongoing issue in Northern Ireland HSCT for some time. People from more rural areas of the region have either limited/no access or their loved ones are spending up to four hours per day on transport to and from day services. This causes further stress/isolation and limits the amount of time people are accessing the services they need. To address these issues the platform has extended an invitation to all transport managers across all five trusts to come and speak with the platform around current provision and future planning.
The DoH have recently requested that the group also connect into the Regional Service Model for Learning Disability. The regional service model for learning disabilities in Northern Ireland is a set of guidelines and procedures that determine the delivery of services for individuals with learning disabilities in the region. The model aims to provide high-quality, person-centered care and support for individuals with learning disabilities and their families.
The model is built upon three key principles:
- Access to services - all individuals with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland should have equal access to services, regardless of their location or personal circumstances.
- Personalization - services should be tailored to meet the individual needs and preferences of each person with a learning disability, promoting choice, independence and control.
- Partnership - services should involve individuals with learning disabilities, their families, carers, and other stakeholders in their design, delivery and evaluation.
The regional service model includes a range of services and supports, including diagnosis and assessment, early intervention, community-based care and support, specialist services, and transition planning. It also provides guidance on the use of technology and assistive devices to facilitate independence and inclusion.
The engagement with the PCC Carers group in Learning disability will ensure the model is developed in collaboration with those with lived experience, to develop and deliver a responsive, high-quality services to meet the diverse needs of individuals with learning disabilities in the region.
Transport has been an ongoing issue in Northern Ireland HSCT for some time. People from more rural areas of the region have either limited/no access or their loved ones are spending up to four hours per day on transport to and from day services. This causes further stress/isolation and limits the amount of time people are accessing the services they need. To address these issues the platform has extended an invitation to all transport managers across all five trusts to come and speak with the platform around current provision and future planning.
- Issues around day care services and reduced hours
- Issues with transport and length of journeys
- Assessment and Treatment
- Future planning in supported living
- Transition Planning
Learning Disability – Service Users
Since 2021-23 a group of adults with lived experience of having a learning disability have engaged with the PCC from across the five Trust areas to form one regional group.
The Platform has looked at the terms of reference related to coproduction, group contracts and ways of working and have worked alongside many statutory and community & voluntary organisations so the group are able to see the supports available and inform best practice in these organisations from the view of the lived experience
To ensure that people are able to have equal access to information and services the PCC group have advocated and solicited the support of alternative methods of communications such as large print, audio, braille and sign language.
To make sure that service users were able to have their voice heard we have ensured a number of reasonable adjustments to support the individual’s, this could be done on a one-to-one basis or group advocacy to ensure that accessible formats such as easy read etc are truly accessible and meet the needs of the end user.
- Day opportunities
- Supported living
- Annual health checks
- Training for health and social care staff on best forms of communication for service users
Interest Form