Carmarthenshire Day Club services changed
Carmarthenshire County Council Day Club services are being redesigned to enable better use of resources for those in need of higher levels of care in the community.
Five Day Clubs in the county will be affected by the plans, but whilst there will be some reorganisation for staff, many service users who currently use the day clubs will be offered a higher level of service within the council’s Day Centres, and others will be offered places at local independently-run luncheon clubs and social groups.
The small number of staff who currently run Day Clubs will be offered redeployment opportunities elsewhere within the council, these could include opportunities within the council’s Day Centres where vacancies have been identified.
The Day Clubs affected are Ystradowen Day Club, Ystradowen; Noddfa Teilo Day Club, Llandeilo; Gwendraeth Day Club, Pontyates; Caemaen Day Club, Llanelli; and Teifi valley Day Club, Newcastle Emlyn.
The review of day services is a progression of decisions made by Executive Board and Full Council is recent years, to realign services and make best use of resources.
It also follows a recent review of luncheon clubs, which has been a big success – luncheon clubs across the county are now thriving in the hands of the independent sector, which is able to offer a more diverse range of services to a larger group of people than the council was able to.
The five Day Clubs in the county, costing around £400,000 per year, have been running well below capacity for some time, with an average of 121 free spaces per day around the county.
Those who attend are usually independent with low level needs, but attend for social interaction and a hot meal.
The council is working with third sector and voluntary organisations to identify any developments or vacancies for these service users within their luncheon clubs and social groups.
Those who may have higher level needs will be assessed for Day Centre services, which offer a larger range of services, including personal care.
Sheila Porter, head of primary, community and social care, said: “There was significant capacity within the Day Club service, and this highlighted the need for improvement and appropriate use of services. As such, we have held informal consultations with service users, staff, and the independent sector, and felt that this was the best way to make the most appropriate use of our resources.
“We have been mindful of the implications this may have for service users and staff, and have ensured that all current users of our Day Clubs will be offered alternative provision to enhance their current experience of services.
“In all cases, continuation of services to individuals attending the clubs and for our staff has been our priority.”
Cllr Pat Jones, Executive Board member for health and social care, added: “By making these changes we are ensuring that our services are cost-effective, being used to capacity and achieve an appropriate balance between providing a social and a personal care service.
“It will also mean we can redirect £400,000 of savings to other areas of social care provision where there is increased demand.”
Five Day Clubs in the county will be affected by the plans, but whilst there will be some reorganisation for staff, many service users who currently use the day clubs will be offered a higher level of service within the council’s Day Centres, and others will be offered places at local independently-run luncheon clubs and social groups.
The small number of staff who currently run Day Clubs will be offered redeployment opportunities elsewhere within the council, these could include opportunities within the council’s Day Centres where vacancies have been identified.
The Day Clubs affected are Ystradowen Day Club, Ystradowen; Noddfa Teilo Day Club, Llandeilo; Gwendraeth Day Club, Pontyates; Caemaen Day Club, Llanelli; and Teifi valley Day Club, Newcastle Emlyn.
The review of day services is a progression of decisions made by Executive Board and Full Council is recent years, to realign services and make best use of resources.
It also follows a recent review of luncheon clubs, which has been a big success – luncheon clubs across the county are now thriving in the hands of the independent sector, which is able to offer a more diverse range of services to a larger group of people than the council was able to.
The five Day Clubs in the county, costing around £400,000 per year, have been running well below capacity for some time, with an average of 121 free spaces per day around the county.
Those who attend are usually independent with low level needs, but attend for social interaction and a hot meal.
The council is working with third sector and voluntary organisations to identify any developments or vacancies for these service users within their luncheon clubs and social groups.
Those who may have higher level needs will be assessed for Day Centre services, which offer a larger range of services, including personal care.
Sheila Porter, head of primary, community and social care, said: “There was significant capacity within the Day Club service, and this highlighted the need for improvement and appropriate use of services. As such, we have held informal consultations with service users, staff, and the independent sector, and felt that this was the best way to make the most appropriate use of our resources.
“We have been mindful of the implications this may have for service users and staff, and have ensured that all current users of our Day Clubs will be offered alternative provision to enhance their current experience of services.
“In all cases, continuation of services to individuals attending the clubs and for our staff has been our priority.”
Cllr Pat Jones, Executive Board member for health and social care, added: “By making these changes we are ensuring that our services are cost-effective, being used to capacity and achieve an appropriate balance between providing a social and a personal care service.
“It will also mean we can redirect £400,000 of savings to other areas of social care provision where there is increased demand.”
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