Glenda Powell Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 Denise, I have asked one of my ex-colleagues about this and was told 1 Ledbury road is not on the agenda for full council on Friday, ( the meeting before Christmas is always short because of a Christmas lunch afterwards)the next step is the task and finish group report will go to cabinet in January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 Well I hope the Cons have bread and scrape for their lunch and the rest can have anything of their pleasing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 HerefordshireCouncil â€@HfdsCouncil 45 mins45 minutes ago @saveourrespite Councillor Jonathan Lester has issued a statement on 1 Ledbury Road......http://bit.ly/1hqwoIs . 1 retweet0 likes Reply Retweet 1 Like More Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenda Powell Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Councillor Lester statement is very good news, but the parents have worked hard for this. Speaking with the parents tonight they are pleased with the outcome, so am I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 The consultation on No 1 Ledbury Road has started today and can be found here newsroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenknight Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Completed the survey and would advise others to do same. The families and carers that have used this service have fought very hard to save it which speaks volumes. Maybe a combined financial approach including charitable support could assist in maintaining this service and improving facities there. Please review the survey and watch out for the wording of certain questions. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenknight Posted January 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 The campaigners have secured more time for No.1 Ledbury Road and congratulations to them all. Now let's see proper consultation from all parties which ultimately creates the best fit for both those that use this facility and those that manage it.There is no doubt for those children that use this service there is a feeling of security when away from home as there is security of mind for the mum and dads who place their trust in those that look after all that is most precious...your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenda Powell Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 I went to the consultation meeting on Monday at the Kindle centre, having been asked by the parents to attend, one councillor and two officers from the council was there along with parents of the children. I did get the opportunity to speak asking why are the council only allowing 15 out of the 25 children now attending after April, where are these other 5 going for their respite care, also asking why the council are still advertising for carers for these children offering them up to £700 per week and any adaptations to their homes would be paid for, when in my opinion they could put the money into improving the facilities in 1 Ledbury road and paying trained staff to work there. Also what wil happen in 12 months time the parents would be back to where they are today with the threat of closure again, needless to say they didnot give me an answer other than that the council have not got any money for the services, and they are looking to the parents to go onto direct payments and pay for their child respite themselves. I then replied then why do you not pay the parents the £700 that you are willing to pay foster carers your advertising for. I did not get an answer to that question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin James Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Great news indeed in the short term, now we need to work on the long term... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/15101215.Date_set_for_closure_of_children__39_s_respite_centre/ Reading some of the heartbreaking comments on Facebook and the HT report http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/15150126.Carers_charity__39_s_council_funding_will_be_cut_in_half/?ref=mr&lp=18 really confirms suspicions that this Council is really not fit for purpose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted March 13, 2017 Report Share Posted March 13, 2017 I have taken the liberty of copying some of the comments on No 1 Ledbury Road FB page across - please take a moment to read them "We've had notification that one of the provisions that Herefordshire council suggested for our children,to replace 1 Ledbury Road, is unsuitable. Our children do not meet the criteria to qualify a placement.Management claimed we have been offered 'various' options. Turns out only one option is suitable, and that option is already full till July and for most of school summer holidays So what happened to the repeated statement from children's services that Parents would have more choice? We'd be very interested to hear other parent/carers stories & views on this. Feel free to direct message if you'd prefer. Xx LikeShow More Reactions CommentShare Chronological 1414 2 shares Comments Louise Holland Typical council hogwash. All they want to do is save money today, never mind tomorrow and the massive social care cost of so many families reaching breaking point. When will they ever learn? Like · Reply · 2 March at 21:47 Susan Herrington No choice at all. The same for Marches/Aspire etc play days as they will not now know how many people will choose them so be unable to budget properly so pushing them to the limit. They may not all continue so leaving us with no choices again. I kept pointing this out to Richard Watson but I must slip into some strange language he does not understand as he did not get it!!! Like · Reply · 2 March at 22:41 Helen Dean I'm sad to see the hopes of families & our societies aims & many in the medical services & their wishes around the mid 1970's & early 1980's, to help children & families to survive & support them especially those who had physical or mental health issues. This was so when 1,Ledbury Rd, opened. At that time, parents & families were reassured that they would have help & support to help care for us all of all ages & whatever problems we might have. This was a good aim for 'Care in the Community' which also aimed to have smaller homely places for people of any age or health condition and to also help those who had been in long-term care, especially those in large hospital care institutions to be helped to adjust to moving to new homes in the Community. This was a great idea until the old large homes were closed down & some people who were unable to cope with life 'in the Community', caused problems. All very ideal when there was, or we thought there was enough cash to support people & their families in this way. I feel very sad to see that now, it's all changed again. I would not like to see society having to return to say around the 1920's. It is very worrying for people & their families that 'The Cuts' have now been getting worse & sadly no sign of more cash being put into Social Care at the moment. While Government & society debate about the problems of funding care that has already been cut or possibly will be cut. When there is some people with alot more money than most, it seems morally wrong . Very, very, very few people & families, is it their fault that they or their family need Social Care. I know that there isn't an endless amount of money but when places like 1, Ledbury Rd are faced with being closed down the other options of respite care being put forward of something like a foster carer /family being a cheaper/better option than 1,Ledbury Rd. Maybe for some people but from my life experience of family & friends & working at 1,Ledbury Rd when it opened until early 1990's, I know that for most families, the care needed & the adaptation of most families homes for respite fostering is not possible or cheaper or safer than funding places like 1,Ledbury Rd. If it was possible most families would care for their children 24\7 at home & or with help from extended family or friends. We all need a break & families who have children that need more supervision than most, sometimes 24/7, need the respite or their family will not be able to support each other & cause ill health or breakdown & then their child/children will have to be looked after by society in one way or another, probably long-term. I would like those who think that 1,Ledbury Rd should close to spend a week with a family that has a child that needs almost 24/7 care due to physical or mental or both needs, then I'm sure they would understand why 1,Ledbury Rd was arranged to be built & funded for Hereford area & should be continued. The recent yearly debate of how long it will stay open & how many days per week etc. is not good for families who use 1,Ledbury Rd or staff, to have this uncertainty. Otherwise I don't like to think what will happen to people, anyone, if we can't support families to care for their children. I ask everyone, Who is responsible for caring or funding care for those who need care? . Like · Reply · 1 · 3 March at 00:59 · Edited Julia Parker-Harris Well said Helen sadly it seems our caring society is being dismantled in favour of pure profit. Like · Reply · 1 · 3 March at 13:25 Jane Abel Once again shows the total incompetence of those, in theory, in charge for ensuring that the children of Herefordshire receive the best possible service at all times. No 1 Ledbury Road already offers the type of of placement the service users and their families need. Why does it need to be replaced. Once again a decision that seems ill conceived, poorly thought out and without an actual suitable alternative in place. No 1 Ledbury needs to kept open for the children and their families. Like · Reply · 1 · 5 March at 17:08 Susan Herrington Well said thank you Jane Abel Like · Reply · 5 March at 18:11" Write a reply... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie May Posted March 13, 2017 Report Share Posted March 13, 2017 Thank you Denise for this. It makes me so cross that Herefordshire Council can spend £260,000 or more on a new website, but cant help families, some of whom can be at breaking point trying to care for a child with complex needs. I read somewhere else that a huge amount of money has been spent on Elgar House for Council staff, when no previous employer has had to spend that amount of money on it for staff to work there. As I say it makes me angry and it just adds insult to injury to the families affected by the closure of No1 Ledbury Road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cloudberry Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 I agree, it makes me angry too. 1 Ledbury Road is not a luxury like a website. It's a necessity. There is no other functional way to provide families with the support and respite that they can't manage without. Can Councillors not stop to imagine, for just a few minutes, what they are putting these families through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Boggs Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Saddened to hear about this. As others have indicated it seems like a sick joke for the Council to balk at funding respite care yet it's quite happy to blow £250k on a website that doesn't even work. As I remember no 1 got a reprieve after it came out that the Council had failed to consult the families despite being advised to do so. Herefordshire Council has a dismal reputation for failing to follow the correct procedures and Children and Young Services' are probably the worst of the lot in this regard. They think they can what do what they like, never mind what the rules say. I wouldn't be surprised if a lawyer specialising in public law could pull apart this latest decision in fairly short order. I appreciate they cost money though and thus might not be an option for the families. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Pity there isn't one to do it pro bono Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petedown Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 I have been trying to get Jess Norman to get involved even at this late stage - after all he is Patron of the Children at No 1 Charity - but to no avail. Obviously has more important things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 Jesse Norman does not seem to be performing for his people at all at the moment - Marinel Bristow's husband is trying to get some action out of him as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petedown Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Part of Save No 1 facebook page today - it says it all ! : Although our much loved 1 Ledbury road is closing its doors this coming week, we as a campaign group are not going anywhere! The fight continues and is still very much needed. There are vulnerable families who are still without appropriate respite options. The local authority has a duty of care to meet the needs of disabled young people and their families, we intend to make sure they fulfil their promise. We will remain part of the support network for carers and their families.A huge thank you to everyone who supported our campaign, you helped us raise much needed awareness and have given a voice to young disabled people across Herefordshire. Comments Dinah Jones How are these families going to cope with no respite care?If they are going to transport the children to other places then that is going to incur a cost!! I remember when Ledbury Road first opened I was working at M&S and we raised money to buy items for the children, some of the staff visited.So sad to think the place could close permanently. Save 1 Ledbury Road Respite Campain No 1 is definitely closing actually this Friday is the last day. We do not know how we are going to cope because we are unsure of the new package of respite the LA are going to offer. The new provision is 28.8 miles away from our home so it will be impossible to stay with the same hours that we have been used too . My son took two years before he managed 1 overnight stay , we are terrified that the changes in routine are going to be very detrimental to his wellbeing. I remember no 1 changed his day and he didn't go for 12 weeks after that and the staff had to come to our home and spend time with him and very slowly he was introduced back to no 1 . How on earth transition is going to work to the new provision when it's out of county and so far away . Parents are desperate for an alternative provision to be in county to enable a good and meaningful transition process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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