1. INDEPENDENT LIVING IN YORK
York Parent Carer Forum Presentation
31st of March 2017
Hakan Durmaz – Social Worker

2. Key principles of Valuing People (2001) and Valuing People Now (2009)
Rights:
People with learning disabilities and their families have the same human rights as everyone else.
Independent living:
This does not mean living on your own or having to do everything yourself. All disabled people should have greater choice and control over the support they need to go about their daily lives; greater access to housing, education, employment, leisure and transport opportunities and to participation in family and community life.
Control:
This is about being involved in and in control of decisions made about your life. This is not usually doing exactly what you want, but is about having information and support to understand the different options and their implications and consequences, so people can make informed decisions about their own lives.
Inclusion:
This means being able to participate in all the aspects of community – to work, learn, get about, meet people, be part of social networks and access goods and services – and to have the support to do so.

3. Care Act 2014 and Transforming Care
Duty to have regard to personal wellbeing in assessments and care planning
Duty to provide information on accessing different types of care and support locally
Emphasis on outcomes and helping people to connect with their local community
Greater emphasis on Personal Budgets
Transforming Care – Building the Right support
more choice for people and their families, and more say in their care;
providing more care in the community, with personalised support provided by multi-disciplinary health and care teams ;
more innovative services to give people a range of care options, with personal budgets, so that care meets individuals’ needs;
providing early more intensive support for those who need it, so that people can stay in the community, close to home;
but for those that do need in-patient care, ensuring it is only for as long as they need it.

4. Independent Living Developing independence at home
Developing independence at school/college
Developing independence with friends, support workers and personal assistants
Developing independence during overnight short-breaks
and...
Thinking about moving on: exploring accommodation options

5. Where do people live
In 2011, three out of four people with a learning disability were found to live with families, in registered care homes or in supported accommodation:
38% live with family and friends
22% live in registered care homes
16% live in supported accommodation.
Challenges:
1. Growing demand for housing and support services
2. Difficulty in future planning to meet growing housing and support needs
3. Specific barriers for groups of people
4. Not enough housing available
5. New challenges created by the Welfare Reform Act 2012.
(Mencap, Housing for people with a learning disability, 2011)

6. Accommodation options in York
Considerations
Social services eligibility criteria, resources
Risk assessment and management, safeguarding
Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Best Interests
Early intervention and crisis prevention
Types of accommodation
Renting (Council housing, housing association, private renting)
Home ownership
Supported Living
Flat model
Shared accommodation
Shared Lives - Avalon
Residential colleges (education)
Residential care

7. Resources York's Local Offer -special educational needs and disability
Ableweb York - community resource run by adults with learning difficulties and disabilities for people who need access to information and resources in an accessible format
Community Facilitators - Information, advice and guidance about community opportunities including local interest and social groups
York Carers Centre -