A DVD showing the benefits that people with Learning
Disabilities get living in their own homes with support and their
experiences of supported living has been made by us and Alliance
Homes.
The DVD features people from North
Somerset with a Learning Disability and their families, who live in
'supported living'.
'Supported living' is an alternative to residential care for people
with a Learning Disability; the difference is people live in their
own homes. These homes can be owned, or rented through private
rented properties or a housing association. People with Learning
Disabilities are then supported in their own home by qualified and
registered support workers as needed, from a few hours a day to
24/7 packages including sleep-in staff and waking nights if this is
what a person requires.
'Supported living' has been a national drive by the government for
number of years, encouraging people with Learning Disabilities to
choose supported living over residential care.
'Supported living' offers people the opportunity to have a home for
as long as they need to, it enables them to live in their own local
communities near family and friends. It separates the care from the
housing, meaning that if there is a problem with the care and
support a person is receiving they can choose another care provider
without losing their own home.
'Supported living' offers people a personal support package around
their individual needs allowing people to have more choices about
where, and how and who they live with as well as having more
control over their own lives.
These types of packages are delivered as 'personal budgets' and
allow those using the service and families to have choice and
control over the support package in terms of outcomes. Personal
budgets can be particularly flexible and effective when the
individual takes a direct payment from the council themselves or
has someone manage the 'cash personal budget' on their
behalf.
Leader of Council and executive member for adult social services,
Cllr Nigel Ashton, said: "With a package tailored to their specific
needs people can benefit so much more from living in their own home
where they are not cut off from familiar surroundings. It's
important that others can see the benefits of such a scheme and I'm
pleased to support this DVD."
Steve Chinn Director of Operations for Alliance Homes said: "We are
really pleased to have the opportunity to support this work. Being
able to live independently in your own home is such an important
thing yet not everyone believes that this is possible. We know that
with the right support it is definitely achievable and I am sure
that this short DVD will help to get across this crucial
message."
