Views invited on £2.1 million adult daycare plans

Rotherham Council has committed the cash to move the Reach provision for people with learning disabilities, despite closing similar provision elsewhere in the borough.

Reach is currently delivered from the Elliott Centre on Badsley Moor Lane and at Maple Avenue at Maltby.

But the former is leased from NHS Property Services, which is looking to offload the wider site for housing, and the latter is a former children’s home which does not meet modern standards, according to RMBC.

Consultation — taking place from late January to June 1 — will examine what new facilities should replace the existing two premises in order for the service to be modern, accessible and fit for purpose.

Service users, their families and carers will be asked what they want from the new-look Reach — including where it should be built.

The move to consultation was approved on Monday by cabinet members, who will receive another report in September next year detailing the next steps.

Cllr David Roche, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “As we continue to improve services to support people with learning disabilities and autism, we have a long-standing commitment to ensure we maintain an in-house day service provision for people who really need it.

“So, I’m pleased that we are now in a position to bring forward consultation to begin to make new facilities a reality.

“This proposed consultation will ensure we deliver exactly what is needed from our day opportunities offer.”