To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his Department’s assessment of the current provision of day centres, particularly in rural areas; and (ii) to detail the measures his Department is taking to ensure all young people with special educational needs are able to access this support.

(i)

Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) are responsible for the provision of health and social care services in accordance with population and individual assessed need.

Across all HSCTs adults with a learning disability aged 18 years plus, may access Day Centres where this is in accordance with their assessed need. HSCTs advise that Day Care Services are predominantly located in towns/cities across Trust geographical areas, with some Day Centres located in a number of villages. Where possible and if in accordance with assessed need, adults with a learning disability avail of Day Centre provision most closely located to their home address, to reduce the need for lengthy journeys. Day Care Services are available in the following Trust locations.

Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT):

17 Statutory Adult Day Care Centres offer support to adults with learning disabilities across the Trust geographical boundary in the following areas:

Maybrook: Londonderry

Oaktree Centre: Londonderry

Valley Centre: Londonderry

Evergreen: Londonderry

Benbradagh: Limavady

Willow Group: Limavady

Glenside: Strabane

Omagh Centre: Omagh

Strathroy: Omagh

Dromore Centre: Dromore

Castlederg Centre: Castlederg

Kesh Centre: Kesh

Tir Na Var: Enniskillen

Lackaghbouy 1: Enniskillen

Lackaghbouy 2: Enniskillen

Share Centre: Enniskillen

EPC, Lisnaskea: Lisnaskea

Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT):

10 Statutory Adult Day Care Centres offer support to adults with learning disabilities across all four Trust localities as noted below:

Mid Ulster

Magherafelt Adult Centre

Cookstown Adult Centre

Causeway

Mountfern, Coleraine

Rathmoyle, Ballycastle

Millbrook, Ballymoney

Antrim/Ballymena locality

Antrim Adult Centre

George Sloan Adult Centre, Ballymena

East Antrim

Hawthorns, Carrickfergus

Drumross, Newtownabbey

Larne Adult Centre

South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT):

10 Statutory Day Centres offer support to adults with learning disability in the following Trust locations, 3 in Downpatrick area,

3 in Lisburn and 4 in North Down and Ards.

In addition to this there are 6 independent providers who offer Day Centre facilities across the Trust area.

Southern Health and Social Care Trust: (SHSCT)

10 Statutory Day Centres offer Day Care Services to adults with a learning disability, with 2 independent providers also providing Day Care to adults with a learning disability in the following Trust locations.

Newry & Mourne– Windsor, Laurels and Crossmaglen (Statutory). Cairnmount and Mourne Stimulus (Independent Sector).

Craigavon & Banbridge– Manor, Bannvale and Linenbridge (Statutory).

Armagh & Dungannon – Appleby, Oakridge, McCague, and Islandview (Statutory).

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT):

8 Statutory Day Centres offer Day Care Services to adults with a learning disability across the Belfast Trust area. In addition, there are 4 offsite community Based Clubs managed and run by people with a learning disability for people with a learning disability supported by BHSCT staff; 2 Social Enterprises and 2 Community Day Services. The Trust advise all services are located in the Belfast City area, within the geographical location of the Belfast Health and Social Care area.

All HSCTs remain committed to providing support for young adults diagnosed with a learning disability 18 years plus, who may be considered to have special educational needs; in accordance with assessed need. All HSCTs recognise the importance of offering choice to young adults with a learning disability in the form of Day Centres or training, employment or Day Opportunity Services. Children’s and Adult Services work collaboratively to support transition planning, including working with other agencies such as Education to support service provision aligned to assessed need.

All HSCTs acknowledge current challenges in terms of Day provision, including difficulties in meeting the needs of adults with complex needs which can require variation in environments and staffing ratios in Day Centres. On occasion there can be challenges in meeting assessed need due to workforce pressures, Day Care capacity, environmental issues and working within a constrained funding envelope.

All HSCTs continue to engage with service users and their Carers to obtain solutions and identify appropriate service provision for young adults. HSCTs utilise both statutory and independent sector providers to provide Day Care provision for adults with a learning disability in accordance with assessed need and have procedures in place to optimise capacity within available resources.

(ii)

Service Users, families, parents and carers continue to articulate the demand for Day Care and Day Opportunities provision. Work is ongoing within my Department to finalise the Learning Disability Service Model. Throughout 2023/24, a body of work has been undertaken, including thematic review of published research and clinical excellence guidelines, consideration of data to better understand population need and service capacity, alongside feedback from people supported, families/carers, professionals and providers. This work and feedback informed a Draft Learning Disability Model which sets out the Department of Health’s vision regarding transitions, health & wellbeing, meaningful lives & citizenship, families & carers, home and mental health & behavioural support. The draft includes a number of outcomes and actions to expand Day Services. Public Consultation is anticipated in coming months, pending finalisation of the model.

My Department is also leading work to standardise Shared Lives Service provision, with a view to enhancing Day Support Services as an option available to adults with a learning disability. In addition, my Department is finalising a draft Transition Protocol to enhance transition planning for children with a learning disability, including those children with co-occurring autism. It is envisaged when finalised, this draft protocol will be piloted.

My Department remains committed to working with HSCTS and other agencies to offer choice and meaningful day activities for adults with a learning disability in accordance with their assessed need.