Consultation to be launched on plans to modernise residential short breaks in Buckinghamshire

A consultation on the modernisation of Buckinghamshire’s residential short breaks (respite) service for adults is to be launched by Buckinghamshire County Council.

On Monday 7th January 2019 Cabinet members at Buckinghamshire County Council agreed  to a six week consultation starting on Wednesday 16th January 2019.

Currently the service is located at Seeley’s House in Beaconsfield and offers overnight breaks for up to eight vulnerable adults at any one time.

The plan, if agreed, is to move to a more suitable location in Aylesbury and commission a new service in partnership with health. The Council has reached a joint funding agreement with the Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group. This means that, regardless of who is funding their care, those who need it can access the service.

Lin Hazell, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at Buckinghamshire County Council, said: ‘The reasons for wanting to move are very clear, the current building has a very limited shelf life, is not suitable for renovation and is far too expensive to maintain. On the other hand the building in Aylesbury is currently under-used and offers an affordable opportunity to improve the service.

We are viewing this as a service improvement. It’s about moving our residential short breaks service to a more suitable and accessible building. The new service will provide safe, quality care for those with the most complex needs – in a purpose built environment.‘

Provision of the new service would mean temporarily closing Aylesbury Opportunities Centre for 12 months while a partial rebuild takes place.

Current service users will be supported to find alternative day activities and transition to the new service when it opens in August 2020. A residential short breaks service will continue at Seeley’s House Beaconsfield until transition to the new service is complete.

Parents, carers and services users (both current and future) are being asked to give their views about the proposed plans for adult residential short breaks at a series of events as follows:

• Wednesday 23rd January 2019, 7.00pm to 9.00pm at Seeleys House.
• Thursday 24th January 2019, 1.00pm to 3.00pm at Seeleys House.
• Monday 28th January 2019, 10.00am to 12.00pm at Aylesbury Opportunities Centre.
• Monday 4th February 2019, 6.00pm to 8.00pm at Aylesbury Opportunities Centre.

Lin continues: ‘This is an opportunity for people to hear about our plans in greater detail, tell us what they think, and check we have considered their specific concerns. If you are unable to get to an event you can still give your views by emailing us at [email protected] or calling us on 01296 383 122 and leaving a message.‘

Further information and how to have your say can be found at www.buckscc.gov.uk/shortbreaksforadults.

Details of the cabinet decision to consult can be found at the following link : https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=124&MId=11073&Ver=4.