The 2 services that we are seeking views on are The Getaway short breaks service, and the Outback early help services.
Several of the questions have also been amended to provide greater clarity. The consultation is now available and will close for comments on Sunday 30 June 2024.
We are looking for views on either closing The Getaway building, which offers short respite breaks for children with disabilities, or reducing capacity for short breaks and using some of the space for a home for children with disabilities in our care.
The Outback provides early help services for families with disabled children. We are seeking views on stopping these services, or refocusing them to prevent family breakdown and stopping children with disabilities coming into our care.
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Julie Patten, said:
“We are responding after receiving comments from a family who uses these services, who felt that the consultation period was not long enough and that some of the questions needed greater clarity.
“We welcome all feedback and want to ensure we give opportunities for all expressed views to be included and represented, before any final decisions are taken.
“Those who have already completed the questionnaire need not take part again, as we still have their responses and will include them when we do our analysis.
“But if anyone currently using these services, and those organisations who also provide services for children and families haven’t yet completed the survey please do so that you let us know your views.”
Paper copies are available at both the Getaway and Outback centres, and by emailing cs.residentialdisability@derbyshire.gov.uk