Supported living services contracts extended

Bridgend County Borough Council’s cabinet has approved an extension to its current contracts with companies who provide supported living services for more than 113 people with learning disabilities across 49 different settings.

To enable the council to seek the views of people with learning disabilities on how supported living services can be improved, the council has agreed to extend the existing contracts with Cartrefi, Mirus and Drive Ltd until March 2022.

In March this year, People First Bridgend (PFB) began a consultation with individuals within each supported living scheme to be used as the basis for drawing up new local contracts. However, the outbreak of Covid-19 and subsequent national and local restrictions severely impacted the ability of PFB to carry out these face-to-face consultations.

A report to cabinet recommended that the current contracts be extended to allow this work to continue.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting on November 17, cabinet member for social services and early help Councillor Nicole Burnett said: “I fully support this - these are vital services for vulnerable adults.

“Organisations such as Cartrefi Cymru work on a cooperative model to support older residents as well as people with disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour, and provide much-needed breaks and support for carers.

“Mirus uses a person-centred approach and works in partnership with families and other professionals, while Drive Ltd supports people with a learning disability to move out of large institutions into ordinary housing in local communities as tenants in their own homes. 

“As such work empowers staff as well as those who benefit, it is important to ensure there is a continuity of service and that they are not affected by this pandemic as we go forward.”