A COMMITMENT has been made to join Adults with a Learning Disability in jointly developing approaches to support and services.
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP) is responsible for the vast majority of health and social care services in the region, and has now formally signed the Charter for Involvement.
The Charter has been written by the National Involvement Network (NIN), and sets out in their own words how supported people with a learning disability want to be involved in the support that they get, the organisations that provide their services and with the wider community.
Glen Graham is the Strategic Planning and Commissioning Manager (Learning Disability) for DGHSCP and he said: “We’re very serious about our commitment to work in partnership with Adults with a Learning Disability, and so we’re delighted to now have signed a Charter which helps cement that pledge.”
Since September 2017 the Partnership has been carrying out a scoping exercise of existing services and support provided to Adults with a Learning Disability living in Dumfries and Galloway, acting on the directions of the IJB.
Glen said: “As part of this work, the views and experiences of people with a learning disability, their families, carers and people who provide services have contributed to an understanding of existing resources.
“They have also served an important role in highlighting the challenges we currently face and are likely to face going forward.
“To build on this work the involvement of people with a Learning Disability, their families, carers and service providers is going to be key to the development of a strategy for Learning Disability.
“The principles contained within the Charter for Involvement reflect outcomes that the Health and Social Care Partnership is working to achieve for people with a learning disability, their Carers and families. They are also directly linked to the objectives of the national Keys to Life Strategy.”
The Integration Joint Board sets the direction for health and social care services in the region, and newly-appointed Chair and Vice Chair Councillor Andy Ferguson and Penny Halliday were joined by representatives of the NIN for the official charter signing – including members of the local Powerful Voices Service User Group and a representative of ARC Scotland.
Councillor Ferguson said: “The Charter is a very significant document, and I’m proud that one of my first acts as the new Chair of the IJB was to sign our commitment to adopt the approach it sets out.
“A lot of good work has already taken place in Dumfries and Galloway with Adults with a Learning Disability, but there is still a lot that needs to be done around developing services and support.
“This document is a crucial part of the jigsaw – and will make an integral contribution towards the current work to develop a joint Learning Disability strategy for the region.”
