Universal Services Anthony Mohammed Adult Services Department January 2010

WHAT ARE UNIVERSAL SERVICES? Universal Services are those services anyone in the borough should have access to Regardless of need or eligibility criteria and are open to all, including self-funders They include – housing, leisure, transport, information & advice and advocacy support

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Community Based Support –Occupational Therapy –Integrated Community Equipment Store –Assistive Technology –Learning & Employment –Carers Support Team Cont’d…..

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Community Capacity Development –Community engagement and participation –Information, advice & advocacy services for staff and service users –Early intervention & prevention –Developing voluntary, community and 3 rd sector organisations to provide support where appropriate

UPDATE Recruitment of Service Managers complete Mapping of information, advice and prevention/intervention services ongoing Carers Centre scheduled to open in Jan/Feb 2010 Links to new Wigan Life Centres established for universal information and advice Representatives from service user groups, e.g. Carers, invited onto TSC Board Cont’d…..

UPDATE (Contd.) Staff briefings ongoing Specific service user engagement – Carers event in November Establish a forum for the public to be involved Web site development Internal & external communication strategy complete Identifying intervention and prevention services for further development

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES Voluntary & third sector supported to develop services in localities Develop information & advice services regardless of means or needs, e.g. Carer networks, Age Concern, CAB, WIAC, Schools, GP surgeries, SureStart venues, community venues, Wigan Life Centres, etc. Link to Leisure & Wellbeing agenda for maintaining and improving health options for people Work with ‘re-ablement’ programme to support people to re-gain skills lost through illness, accident or disability

KEY PARTNERS Wigan Council staff NHS / PCT JC Plus Carers Networks Learning Disability Partnership Board Older Peoples’ Forum Veteran’s Group Community organisations & representatives