21/7/2010 - People with cerebral palsy given more independance and control : Cumbria County Council

More independence, more control over how to spend personal care budgets, and more community activities to get together and have some fun. That's the bright new future in store for people with cerebral palsy and their families, thanks to an exciting new care contract agreed between Cumbria County Council and Walsingham, a leading national care provider specialising in supporting people with learning disabilities.

The county council has just awarded a contract to Walsingham to deliver domiciliary care to 28 people with cerebral palsy in the county until April 2013. Previously people with cerebral palsy have received residential care at Scalesceugh Hall from Cumbria Cerebral Palsy (CCP), but the contract had to be retendered to comply with Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidelines.

Under the new arrangements, service users will move to brand new supported living schemes in Carlisle in September. The two main schemes are at Lister House, off Newtown Road, and Sycamore House at Parklands Village. Accommodation will also be provided in three bungalows in Heysham Gardens.

The move from residential care to a supported living service means that the individuals will be housing association tenants and have the choice to be much more independent. People will have support plans which will describe what support they will receive and what outcomes will be achieved. They will be entitled to additional disability benefits and have much more control over their money and how it is spent. They will have the opportunity to participate more in community activities and there will also be a 'day opportunities' service available at Lister House, of which all can take advantage.

Cllr James Airey, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet member responsible for adult social care, said:

"Securing this domiciliary care contract is a really positive step forward and gives the certainty wanted by Scalesceugh residents and their families. The county council needed to take action and secure the long-term future care of these vulnerable people. I am confident that the people moving to this new model of care will find it far more flexible and suited to their needs than the previous arrangements."