A PIONEERING programme to change the way support is provided for people with learning disabilities has been given a £1.5million Government boost.

Somerset County Council (SCC) and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) bid for the funding from the Government’s Transformation Challenge fund and it will be used to create a Social Enterprise Partnership which will provide services for people with learning disabilities.

It will cater for the 900 people who currently use the council’s in-house service.

Rising demand and the desire for more personalised services mean the current service is not sustainable. Cllr William Wallace, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “I am delighted we have been awarded this investment for an initiative that will allow us to join up with partner agencies to provide sustainable support for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“We are committed to the long-term future of services for people with learning disabilities.

“Our priority is to ensure that they, and their families and carers, can take control of the services that are important to them.”

Dr Matthew Dolman, who is chairman of the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It is important for all of us to feel we are an individual and that we are provided with personalised care and support.

“Somerset CCG looks forward to working with partners to develop a service that makes that commitment a reality.”

The enterprise will be shaped by the priorities of those who benefit from the services and their carers. It will aim to offer affordable, personalised services catering for even the most complex needs. These will be available locally so that customers can stay close to their support network. It will also encourage the development of a sustainable and expanding marketplace for care services. Voluntary, local and familyrun businesses will be encouraged to participate.

Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins said: “The local authorities behind these projects have shown what can be done to improve the services people get, helping them to live independently and reducing demand for public services.

“By working with the local police, health bodies, Jobcentre Plus, voluntary groups and others they are eliminating waste and creating services which help people first time – not services which send people from pillar to post.”