To ask the Minister of Health to detail any plans in place to restore and expand respite services for individuals with learning disabilities and dementia, given the significant strain on families and carers.

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.

HSCTs utilise both statutory and independent sector providers to provide respite/short breaks for adults with a learning disability and dementia, in accordance with assessed need. HSCTs have procedures in place to optimise capacity within available resources.

The allocation of respite/short breaks is determined through completion of a Carer’s Assessment. All requests for respite/short breaks are assessed and managed by HSCTs based on individual need, with statutory and independent sector care homes facilitating both planned and emergency respite/short breaks. In addition, there are alternative options to respite/short breaks in a care home setting which include for example, day care, a sitting service in the individual’s own home or a Direct Payment.

Shared Lives Services are also available within Older People and Learning Disability Services, offering day support for older people including those with dementia. Shared Lives day support and respite/short breaks services are also available for adults with a learning disability in the Shared Lives Carer’s home. Carer Assessments continue to be offered by HSCTs to assess the carer’s individual situation and provide appropriate support.

It is recognised that there is complexity of need and demand for respite/short breaks for adults with a learning disability and dementia. My Department is leading on the reform of adult social care under the auspices of the Social Care Collaborative Forum. The Commissioning and Contracting workstream is taking forward the review of the regional care homes contract and specification which will include provision for respite/short break placements within the care home setting for adults in all Programmes of Care, including individuals with learning disabilities and dementia. The Maximising Capacity Workstream is working to make most effective use of the available regional care home resource, which is expected to assist with the provision of respite/short breaks to support individuals and their carers.

Work is also 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 home, transitions, health & wellbeing, meaningful lives & citizenship, families & carers (including respite/ short breaks), and mental health & behavioural support. Public Consultation is anticipated in coming months, pending finalisation of the model.

My Department remains committed to working with HSCTs and other agencies to restore and expand respite/short break provision for adults with a learning disability and dementia as appropriate, to offer support to their families/carers in accordance with assessed need.