Agenda item

The Director for Adult Social Care and Commissioning submits a report outlining the findings of a review of overnight short breaks for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism and seeks the Commission's views on a proposed improvement programme.

The Director for Adult Social Care and Commissioning submitted a report presenting the findings of a review into overnight short breaks for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism and seeking comments on the proposed improvement programme and future direction of travel.

The Head of Strategic Commissioning gave an overview of the report. Key points to note were as follows:

• Short breaks were an important part of Leicester’s support offer, helping unpaid carers maintain their wellbeing and continue in their caring role whilst promoting independence, social inclusion and meaningful opportunities for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• The review focused on overnight short breaks and considered provision for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, as these had been identified as areas requiring further development.
• A range of short break provision was already available across the city, including overnight stays, day opportunities, Shared Lives, Direct Payments and domiciliary care support.
• The provider market was considered relatively stable and the number of people accessing overnight short breaks had increased from 44 in 2023/24 to 70 in 2025/26.
• Engagement with operational teams, carers and people drawing on support had identified uncertainty around eligibility criteria, access routes and awareness of available provision.
• The review concluded that improvements were required to information, pathways, forecasting, data quality and commissioning intelligence before decisions on future provision could be made.
• Work was underway with health partners across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to develop a co-produced and accessible Adult Short Breaks Directory, setting out available services, eligibility criteria and routes into support.
• A clearer and more consistent pathway into overnight short breaks would be developed, alongside work to better understand unmet need and future demand.
• Greater alignment between Children’s Services, Preparing for Adulthood and Adult Social Care was required to improve forecasting and plan future provision, particularly for young people transitioning into adulthood.
• Further work would be undertaken to understand the future needs of autistic people with complex support requirements and whether different approaches to short breaks may be required.
• Local Government Reorganisation would need to be factored into future planning, with opportunities to strengthen market engagement, evidence gathering and partnership working across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

In response to Member discussion, the following was noted:

·       Members welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of short breaks in supporting both carers and people drawing on support.

·       Members sought clarification on eligibility criteria, charging arrangements and the scope of the review. Officers advised that learning disabilities and autism had been identified as priority areas and acknowledged that clearer information and pathways were needed.

·       The benefits of Shared Lives were discussed, with Members noting that maintaining familiar routines and relationships could help reduce disruption for people accessing respite support.

·       Officers acknowledged concerns raised by carers that some short break placements could be stressful if provision was unfamiliar or located a considerable distance from home and emphasised the importance of person-centred planning and accessibility.

·       Members queried how improved pathways would increase access to short breaks, noting that only a small proportion of adults with learning disabilities currently accessed overnight provision. Officers advised that co-production would be central to the development of future arrangements and information resources.

·       It was noted that a jointly funded post was being recruited to lead work across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland on the development of a short breaks directory and wider improvement programme.

·       Members emphasised the importance of ensuring provision met individual needs and linked closely with wider autism, neurodiversity and transition planning work across children's and adult services.

·       Officers outlined work being undertaken to support autistic people to access short breaks through gradual introductions, familiarisation visits and relationship-based approaches, helping to ensure support was tailored to individual needs.

·       Members welcomed the proposed improvements and noted that the approach reflected learning from the Care Quality Commission inspection and feedback from carers and families.

AGREED:

1)    That the report and findings of the overnight short breaks review be noted.

2)    That the proposed direction of travel and improvement programme be supported.

3)    That the development of clearer information, eligibility guidance and referral pathways be welcomed.

4)    That progress on the Short Breaks Improvement Plan be reported back to the Commission at an appropriate future date.