Review of respite services for adults with learning disabilities.

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Social Work has completed a best value review of respite services for adults with learning disabilities. Respite is a short break for families caring for a relative with a disability or long term mental or physical illness. Respite services for people with learning disabilities are provided on the basis of an individual assessment of need carried out by a social work or health professional. Respite provides a break for carers and for individuals with disabilities from their usual routines in order to improve the quality of their lives and support their relationship.

Social Work provides or arranges respite services in a variety of ways - respite episodes can last between a few hours and two weeks at a time. Respite is a service which is highly valued by carers of people with disabilities. Early intervention and regular breaks help to keep families together and sustain carers in their long term caring role. Without this care, many people would be at risk, their quality of life would be poor and they may require admission to permanent care. The review considered the operation of respite services provided or arranged under contract by Renfrewshire Social Work department.

Review of respite services for adults with learning disabilities (pdf - 139Kb)

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One of the key outcomes of the review was the development of a 10-bed new respite unit in Glenburn, Paisley. Weaver's Linn, a state-of-the-art £1.5 million unit, provides high-quality accommodation and trained carers for ten adults with learning disabilities.

If you require more information, please contact us by:

• email: sw@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 842 5957
• fax: 0141 842 5144
• write to us:

Renfrewshire Council
Social Work
3rd Floor
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1TZ