Home for 20 adults with learning disabilities faces shake-up in Wolverhampton Council cuts
A home for people with learning disabilities is facing a shake-up as a council aims to save millions of pounds.
Duke Street Bungalows in Wednesfield is a council-run residential home for 20 adults with profound learning disabilities made up of three detached bungalows.
Wolverhampton City Council is currently running a consultation over the future of the home.
The council announced last year it was reviewing its care and support services to ensure they are being delivered in the most cost-effective way, in response to significant budget cuts from central government.
Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for adult services, said the council is facing an unprecedented financial challenge as a result of the cuts and must save a further £123 million by 2018/2019. This is on top of the £100m already saved over the past five years.
He said: "As a result, we're having to look closely at everything we do, and the way that we do it. We are part-way through the 12-week consultation into options relating to Duke Street, which include continuing to provide the service in-house, seeking an external partner or partners, or developing a supported living service there."
The consultation brief says Duke Street Bungalows was developed in response to national best practice guidelines which identified that smaller, more community-based accommodation within the community was needed for adults with a learning disability who required long time care and support. Over the years significant changes have taken place and best practice now supports the supported living model with shared care options.
Councillor Evans said the council was determined that any changes made to in-house services would not compromise the people who used the service, and that they will continue to receive the highest quality care possible.
"We have had constructive discussions with service users and their families, as well as staff, and the findings are due to be reported back to cabinet in March.
More information is available at wolverhampton.gov.uk or by calling Liz Phillips on 01902 550694.
