Day service should be redeveloped, says Mencap

Day services for people with learning difficulties need to
be redeveloped, according to a new report by learning difficulties charity Mencap.

A Life in the Day,
produced in the light of the government’s Valuing
People white paper, says there are key principles that must underpin modern
services for people with learning difficulties.

It says there must be partnerships between
social services and other local agencies, including supported employment and
education providers. Person centred planning, with the full involvement of the
service user and real choice, is essential to services for people with a
learning difficulty.

The report says people with learning
difficulties should have access to activities that enable them to develop
skills. A network of small local resource centres to support community-based
activities should be developed, and support should be individually tailored.

The charity is calling for more funding to be
available for day services to be developed properly and for £140 million to
extend day services to people who currently do not receive them.