PFI consultation with parents: 16th October 2007, part II

Questions asked … and answers given, part II 

18. What plans have you made for a smooth transition for current Broom Court users?

There will be a process of consultation, and then as we get near to the time, we will make a clear programme, building on the work that was undertaken when Rowan Gardens moved to Acorn Lodge.

19. How do parents find out about this project and services available?

I will invite you to events, and you can contact me by phone or email with any queries.

20. Can staff always wear badge, and have a noticeboard with their photos and names on it?

Yes. That is a good idea, and we will build it into both present developments and future design.

21. Will you future-proof building (in terms of technology) e.g. WiFi?

That has been built into the planning for the building, as far as is possible.

22. Will staff change?

Staff do change over time, but if they wish to remain, existing staff will have employment rights to do so, even if the care services are provided by an independent provider.

23. Will there be better outdoor facilities and a safe play area?

Yes.

24. Will there be CCTV for safety and security?

If CCTV is appropriate, it can be used for external security.

25. Will there be a  webcam in public areas, so that parents can see their children?

It is not appropriate to have webcams in the children’s home, and we would not receive registration from OFSTED if we were to take up this suggestion (this question generated a lot of debate).

26. Can we have more transparency, working with parents and staff to build better relationships?

Yes. We constantly seek to improve this work.

27. Can we have regular updates, not just reviews, at convenient times?

Yes. This is something you can use the reviews to plan.

28. Can we have more details in a diary of what has happened on the short break, because it sometimes feels inadequate at present?

Yes. Again this is some thing to raise at the review – or directly, if it is a long time until the next review.

29. Can we have a parents’ evening or open day?

Yes. It is a long time since the last one.

30. Can two-way communications be improved so that care plans are always met?

Yes. This is something that needs to be worked at.

31. Can transport offered to and from short break include the luggage?

This is something we are working hard to resolve.

32. If clothes are not returned, or  sent home dirty, or child in wrong trousers, what should a parent do?

The parent should raise it directly at the time, and if not satisfied with the outcome, should make a complaint.

33. Sometimes the  report will say child slept all night, but when parents ask this is not always true. What should we do?

The parent should raise it directly at the time, and if not satisfied with the outcome, should make a complaint.

34. Do you understand that Broom Court very much valued for parents as a break from caring?

Yes. However we all know that we need to work hard to improve services so that they are as good as we can achieve.

35. Do you understand that parents are concerned short breaks should be available when young people are 18?

Yes. That is why it is so important to engage with the transition planning which is available from the Transition Team when young people are 14, so that services can be planned to meet the needs.

PFI consultation with parents: 16th October 2007, part I

Questions asked … and answers given

1. What is the timeframe?

The replacement for Broom Court will be open in September 2009, and the new 14-18 unit will open in January 2010.      

2. Is the whole of Broom Court closing or just the Transitions Unit?

Broom Court will close when the new unit opens. There will be 12 beds in the new unit, with three designed as a self-help unit for young people 14-18.

3. Will parents/young people be involved in the design?

Yes. Kerry Roling has already been doing some work with young people, and it is displayed today, and this is the strt of the process of consultation.

4. What does PFI stand for?

Public Finance Initiative – it is the way the cost of building the new units is funded. The Children’s funding is for £5m and is attached to the Adult Independent Living Project, which is a £50m project. This project will provide tenancies for adults with learning disabilities, which young people reaching adulthood will be eligible for.

5. How do we access services for adults  now? As parents we need to plan forward for 16 year olds, who currently may need to go out of authority.

The Transition Team provide a service to all 14+ young people who are eligible for a 14+ Transition Review at school.The services I have described for adults will be available until new accommodation is built, so for young people reaching 18 this year, it is not ready.

6. Will you be undertaking training for current staff?

Yes. There is a constant programme of development for existing staff. They are being involved in the development and consultation for the new units, and this includes reconsidering how services are delivered.

7. What happens for those who cannot live independently? Those who have multiple needs? Need 24 hour care?

This question is about the new development in the Adult Independent Living Project, with which the new children’s units are associated. Adult services will still provide for people with high dependency needs, and will aim to give them as much independence in small units as possible. So a person with lots of need for support can be supported in their own tenancy.

8. Will respite be available  for adults who still live with their parents?

This is a developmental service idea which has been raised with adult services.

9. How will people be kept informed?

This is the first consultation meeting, and there will be further meetings as the programme progresses.

10. Will you take notice of parents’ views that there must be a trampoline?

We are looking at this, and considering a trampoline built into the floor of the large play area.

11. Will there be a swimming pool/access to a swimming pool/hydrotherapy?

We are looking at how to work with Leisure Services to ensure good access to a range of activities, including swimming in an inclusive way.

12. Will there be a sensory room?

Yes.

13. Why can’t Broom Court stay?

Broom Court needed to be updated, and made more accessible. We have been given the money to build a replacement short breaks unit. We thought about whether to replace on the same site, either by knocking Broom Court down, or building the new unit next door, but we thought either would lead to nine months when we could not offer respite, so we decided to use a different site.

14. Is it going to tender? How does the bid for contracts work?

The contract for building the units is associated with the Adult programme, and has already gone out to tender. A decision about whether the Care Services go to tender has yet to be made.

15. Is it possible to increase the size?

No. The new short break unit will have nine short break beds, and three self-help beds, just as at present, but they will be better laid out and more accessible.

16. Can there not be more units around the city?

We have been given the money to build one replacement building. This decision was made before I became involved, and it is not possible to change the decision.

17. What is happening to the land?

We have been given land from Education to build the new unit on, and the present land will return to Leeds City Council for them to use as they consider appropriate. You can look on it as a swap.