Multi-million-pound plans to boost short breaks and supported living services for families in Coalville and Hinckley have been set out.
The county council is looking to expand its short breaks provision at a base in Hinckley.
Back in December 2020, a £1.1m refurbishment of The Trees was completed which provides an opportunity to consolidate short-break services.
While services at The Trees are currently suspended as a result of the pandemic – with staff redeployed to other areas of critical work – cabinet members will be asked next week to approve a consultation, one aspect of which is to expand the existing facilities at The Trees, taking the number of beds at Deveron Way to 12.
The council says it also remains committed to providing supported living in Coalville.
Back in February 2019, Cabinet approved funding of £3.7m for the Cropston Drive programme, which involved demolition of the former Hamilton Court building and plans to develop up to 16 self-contained supported living properties and short breaks services.
However, the report outlines, that the council is now proposing to pause the work and will look at revised development proposals following the period of consultation with local residents and other interested parties.
Despite the financial pressures facing the council as a result of the pandemic, we’re hugely committed to investing in adult social care across the county.
We want to provide the best care that we can and provide people with the right services to meet their needs, particularly around maintaining their independence.
We’re still fully committed to meeting the aspirations in Coalville. Should additional short break services be provided at The Trees in Hinckley, there’s an opportunity for a less intensive development in Coalville and we’ll welcome the views of local residents during the consultation period.
Person:Councillor Richard Blunt, cabinet member for adult social care.
With short-break services also being provided at Melton and Wigston as well as Hinckley, councillors will also discuss proposals – again to be consulted on – to no longer provide a short breaks service at Smith Crescent in Coalville, which would close under the plans.
Councillor Blunt added: “We have 17 people who currently use Smith Crescent as a short breaks facility and, should Cabinet approve the consultation, we’ll work closely with them and their families to gain their views and support them to access similar services elsewhere in the county.”
The proposals will be discussed by Cabinet on Tuesday, 23 March at 2pm, the meeting can be viewed at: leicestershire.gov.uk/webcast