When people with learning disabilities are considering what they would like for their lives, they will often think about a home of their own, or at least a home to call their own.  Adults with a learning disability should have an equal opportunity to achieve this aspiration, with appropriate support.  For people with a learning disability, the chance to move into their own accommodation is often not made available unless, or until, parents or carers feel that they are no longer able to provide care or a home.  It is often difficult for people to act before there is a real need or crisis, although the reasons for this are understandable.  Under these circumstances arrangements may be hurried and possibly not as satisfactory as they could be.  It is recommended that carers consider what is available and how they can help their adult with a learning disability find and move into appropriate accommodation at time when this can be achieved without undue pressure or haste when carers can be around to help solve any problems and assist with the settling-in process – if left too late parents or carers may not be able to help or see the person with a learning disability settled and happy in their own home.

Everyone’s needs and wishes vary so a wide range of contacts to investigate has been included in this section.

People who need assistance with the cost of residential care need to be assessed by Adult and Community Services.   All Government funding for residential care is now available from Social Services and not from the Department of Social Security (except for those people already receiving funding before April 1993). Any new request for residential care must go to Social Services who do an assessment of needs as well as a financial assessment (on the person with a learning disability – not the carer).  Adult and Community Services have contracts with approved providers of residential care.

More flexible systems of care, which include different choices as well as staffed group homes, are available. An example of this from another part of North Yorkshire is the very successful Family Placement Scheme in the Harrogate/Craven Division.  This is where a co-ordinator recruits and carefully selects suitable families in ordinary homes to offer residential care to a person with a learning disability.  The family provides all the care and support needed for that individual who becomes a part of the family whilst maintaining their independence.  Check with your Social Worker as to what is available.
 

Avalon is a charity that recruits individuals and families who can offer accommodation and support to adults with learning disabilities.  High quality, individually tailored accommodation and care for people with a learning disability in a family setting are provided.   The service is flexible and responsive and is led by the needs and wishes of the people using the service.   Services that are offered are:

• Long term care                                                                              
• Short term/respite care
• Breakaway
• Kinship
• Day care
• Emergency care
• Supported living

For more information contact:

The following is a list of some of the residential accommodation in the Hambleton/Richmondshire area.  We are not able to comment on the availability of places or the suitability of provision but suggest that you make initial enquiries via Social Services, even if you wish to pay for residential care.

Adult and Community Services  can supply a list of registered residential care homes which encompass local authority, private and voluntary homes in North Yorkshire.

There are national organisations that provide residential opportunities in other areas.  (You could send off for some general information from them but don’t forget that if you require funding Social Services need to be involved.)

CARESEARCH is an organisation, which has a computer bank of information on residential places available for people with a learning disability.  A fee is payable.