More adults with learning disabilities are being supported in the community

Adults with Learning Disabilities in Carmarthenshire are now more likely to be living in their own communities than being placed in residential care, new figures have revealed.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s continued investment in Learning Disability Services has meant that more adults than ever before are being supported to live ordinary lives in their own homes, and in their own communities.

There has been a 40 per cent increase in supported living over the last three years with 114 adults now being supported in such arrangements within the community – and the figure is set to rise even further.

Whilst some still require the support of a residential placement, the investment has allowed the council to deliver its key strategic objective of placing less dependence on residential care and increasing levels of more appropriate alternative community-based options.

Currently, over 600 individuals receive differing levels of community-based support.

Head of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, Gareth John, said steady progress has been made.

“This is particularly so in Learning Disability Services where our continuing investment has resulted in a 40 per cent increase in supported living within local communities,” he said.

The figures were highlighted in a report brought before today’s meeting of Carmarthenshire’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Pat Jones, Executive Board Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This is very pleasing news and is testament to the investment – and the vision – to provide people with more support to live independently.”