Consultation meetings are being held over a proposed new policy for people who get council transport to social care services in Liverpool.
At the moment, social care assessments assume that everybody who travels to support services, eg: a day centre, needs transport to get there. This is regardless of whether or not they are able to use public transport or have access to a mobility vehicle.
Under the new plan, transport will only be provided where an individual is deemed eligible following an assessment, and after public transport, concessionary passes, motability vehicle and Disability Living Allowance (mobility component) have been considered and deemed inappropriate.
It will bring the city council into line with many other neighbouring and comparable local authorities who have done, or are doing, the same thing.
Letters have gone out to all of the existing 800 services users informing them about the meetings, which are at the following locations:
Tuesday 30 October: 2pm-3.30pm at Bridge Chapel Centre, Heath Road, L19 4XR
Thursday 1 November: 10.30am–12pm OR 1pm–2.30pm at Parthenon day centre, Falklands Approach, L11 5BS
Monday 5 November: 5.30pm-7pm at Millennium House, Victoria Street, L1 6JQ
Tuesday 6 November: 10.30am–12pm at Lime Court day centre, Upper Baker Street, L6 1NE
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for adult social care, Councillor Roz Gladden, said: “This is about making sure that we consider everyone’s individual circumstances rather than simply imposing a universal service on them.
“We know that service users can benefit massively by making their own way to and from services as it gives them a huge sense of independence.
“We fully appreciate that any suggestion of a change to the current system will inevitably cause some concern among some services users and their carers. That is why we are anxious to make sure they understand what we are proposing.
“We will not be withdrawing the service unless they are able to use an alternative form of transport and this is about making sure that we target resources at those people who actually need it.”
Places are limited at each meeting and those affected are asked to book a place by contacting the Liverpool Cares team by emailing adultservicesconsultation@liverpool.gov.uk or calling 233 2819 or 233 4640.
The complete version of the proposed policy can be found here
