Cabinet to consider new long-term plan for people with learning disabilities, mental health conditions and autism spectrum conditions

Council leaders will be asked to agree the first phase of a long-term plan to help people with learning disabilities, mental health conditions and/or autism spectrum conditions have more independence and choice for where they live.

Wiltshire Council cabinet will discuss the Wiltshire Independent Living Strategy at its meeting on 13 September. The strategy aims to promote independence, choice and control for people with a mental health condition, learning disability and/or autism spectrum condition (MH/LD/A) in Wiltshire.

Currently there is a lack of housing and care options in the right place in Wiltshire - especially for people with learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions. This means that many people are placed out of county and/or in residential settings, when independent living closer to home would be better for them.

The strategy commits the council to taking a more proactive role in developing housing and care solutions, including forecasting what will be needed and involving people in the design of future housing. The council will look to build on the successes of the in-house Shared Lives and Intensive Enablement Service and, where there is a viable business case, lead the way in providing the kind of time-limited, enabling support that people need.

The strategy will ask people with lived experience for their input to ensure the plans are jointly produced and effective. It will aim to reduce dependence on residential care and ensure that people are supported to live independently, with their own tenancy wherever this is possible. This will mean developing new supported accommodation and providing innovative, flexible care to enable people to live in the community. It aligns with the council business plan to empower people to life full, healthy and enriched lives.

Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: This strategy will mean the council plays a more active role in ensuring there are suitable homes available, including building where they are most needed, so people can maintain their valued independence while having support where it's needed. People with lived experience will be a key part of this strategy, and we will work together to get this right. These long-term plans will protect the most vulnerable and also help them to live independent lives.

The priorities to be agreed at cabinet are:

• change the way the council commissions accommodation and support
• implement a recovery pathway, so people with mental health needs receive the right support in the right place at the right time
• create more housing choices for people, including building new supported living in places where they are most needed
• review ways of working and changing them if they are not clear or fit for purpose
• providing clear information to help people find the homes and support which are best to meet their needs.