18 New Flats
18 NEW FLATS FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING
DISABILITIES
Bedford Borough Council is investing in extra
care housing for people with learning disabilities on the previous
Orchard House site.
The respite care service at Orchard House has
been transferred to George Beal House. The amalgamation of services
to be held at one centre has freed up the Orchard House site,
giving the Council a unique opening to develop 18 extra care flats
catering for people with learning disabilities.
This change also provides an opportunity for
one centre to expand its speciality in short term breaks, and
continues to offer care and support in a family orientated
environment.
The residents of George Beal House, and their
families, have been actively involved in the changes to the service
at the care home over a period of six months. They have been
involved in the process of identifying new placements to meet their
individual needs and they have had introductory visits to their new
homes.
The plans were discussed as part of a
consultation process. Following this each resident, and their
family, were involved in the transitional planning and
viewing of suitable placements.
All of the residents have subsequently moved
to care homes which can meet their individual level of need.
Cllr Colleen Atkins, Portfolio Holder for
Adults Services, at Bedford Borough Council, said: “The Borough
Council engaged in a wide consultation with special regards to the
welfare of residents and extraordinary efforts were made by all
involved in the process. The amalgamation of the short term care
service at George Beal House provides the opportunity to provide
excellent short term respite care from one centre which can respond
to the needs of people with learning disabilities and their
families in a more effective way. The modern living space generated
by these 18 new flats will assist people to live in their own home,
independently.”
In the longer term the restructuring of the
short term care service, the opportunity provided by the
development of the Orchard House site, and alternative service
opportunities provided through the Shared Lives service, which
offers personalised support, will reduce costs and place the
services on a sustainable footing for the future.