What this consultation is about
In recent years we have provided financial support to a number of organisations that provide services in the community. Unfortunately, due to Government cuts to our funding, difficult decisions need to be made and we are proposing to cut funding currently provided to voluntary and community sector providers. Clinical commissioning groups (CCG’s) are also carrying out a review of their grant funded arrangements to voluntary sector providers.
However, services to support people with mental ill health are considered a strategic priority for us and the CCG’s and on 15 March 2016, our Cabinet agreed to continue to fund mental health voluntary sector services for a further period of up to twelve months (to 31 March 2017) whilst a strategic review took place. Cabinet also agreed for a further report to be brought back in 2017 outlining proposals for the procurement of new service(s) through a competitive tender process.
We have therefore reviewed the day opportunity and social inclusion services for people with mental ill health, that currently receive funding from us and the CCG’s in Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash, Amber Valley and South Derbyshire. The review has considered how we can continue to provide support for people with mental ill health and increase the reach of services to other areas of the county where there are currently no services or support as we know there are a lot more people within communities who would benefit from support to help improve their mental health.
We have also considered what is on offer at the different services for people, as we need to ensure that any future services meet the objectives of the Derbyshire County Joint Vision and Strategic Direction for Adult Mental Health 2014-19 (the Mental Health Strategy) and that everyone has an equal offer of support across the county that supports enablement and recovery.
During the six week consultation period, and currently in receipt of mental health day opportunity services, we asked for your views in writing and online. Also, five events were arranged across the county, close to where people attend services now, to enable you to come along and hear about the proposed changes; ensuring you had the opportunity to talk to us about any concerns you may have and for us to answer any questions you may have about the proposed changes.
Summary of proposed changes
The proposed new service or services will build on what is already working well and make improvements where things aren’t working so well. It also aims to increase opportunities for people to access support in their local area and to ensure support is available to all those who need it
There will be two elements to the new service or services, which are shown in the service model diagram which is attached to this page.
The first element of the new service or services will offer time-limited, targeted individual professional support for people with mental ill health. This will include individual support plans, access to self-management and recovery education, drop-in, peer support and self-help groups, low level housing related support, welfare benefits and housing information and advice; support to enter employment or volunteering (where the individual has identified this in their support plan) and improved links into other community support and activities. The frequency and length of the targeted support will depend on individual need and when people have achieved the goals in their support plan.
The second element of the new service or services will offer increased opportunities for people to get together with their peers for mutual support and social activities. There will be no time limits on this element of the support and there will be opportunities to access a range of information and advice as well as support to set up and run new groups and activities where people wish to do so.
People will be able to step up and step down between the professional and peer support elements as many times as needed to reflect their changing needs and circumstances.
There are also proposals to include telephone support within the new service or services so we can extend support to people who choose not to attend in person, but may still need some regular support either from a professional or from peer supporters. There will be opportunities for people to become peer supporters or buddies and training and support will be available for people who may wish to do this.
There will be improved links with primary care, community mental health teams and the adult care enablement service so that care and support for individuals is integrated and joined up.
The new service or services may be provided in a different building and by a different provider than where you attend your service now but will still be local to your area and will aim to provide more choice for people and more opportunities to be involved in how things are run.
Who we consulted with?
People who are currently using any of the following mental health and day opportunity services:
- Rethink - The Croft, Amber Valley
- Rethink Community Service - Chesterfield
- Derbyshire Federation for Mental Health - Derbyshire Dales
- Touchwood - Ilkeston and Long Eaton
- Bank House - South Derbyshire.
This consultation is now closed. A report was presented to Cabinet, 20 September 2016, agenda item number 16. The reports are also attached to this page.