Review of Learning Disability Respite Services – Stage 2 Consultation

East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is carrying out further consultation on local Learning Disability Respite Services.

In 2025, the HSCP asked for views on existing and future Respite (Short Break) Provision for adults and young people with a learning disability. Three drop-in sessions were held and there was an online survey.

Stage 1 of the consultation on the Review of Learning Disability Respite Services included information and engagement. All of the responses were collated, analysed and used to help inform the next steps.

This is now Stage 2 of the consultation on the Review of Learning Disability Respite Services – a chance to comment on the new proposed Redesign Principles.

The closing date for this consultation is Tuesday 30 June 2026.

A total of 28 people took part in the consultation – below is a summary.

• Most people were receiving some form of respite, a minority were waiting on suitable provision
• The majority of people accessed East Dunbartonshire Council building-based respite resources
• Only a few people knowingly used Self-Directed Support for their respite provision
• Most people were aware of what their respite allocation was, however, around a quarter were not receiving their full allocation, mostly due to a lack of availability in their chosen respite resource
• Satisfaction levels across respite were high
• Quality of care, respite facilities and environments were mostly rated ‘good’ to ‘very good’
• Around 50% of people were not open to considering a different model of respite provision, even if this meant a reduction in allocation of building-based provision.
• The other 50% were open to considering alternatives such as
  • At-home breaks – support provided in the cared-for person’s home with the carer remaining home or taking time out
  • Family-based breaks – with additional support so the carer has a break too
  • Holiday breaks – with the cared-for person going on a short break separately
  • Shared Lives – breaks with a Shared Lives Carer, staying as part of their household
  • A Personal Budget – which can be used to purchase provision that meets individual needs, including residential respite provision.

The consultation results also indicated that:

• Opportunities for people to socialise were considered important
• Allocation reductions at the point of transition from child to adult services was a concern
• There is a critical need for respite support to prevent carer burnout.

A framework of Redesign Principles has been developed. It follows detailed analysis of current and future needs, service models, customer feedback and work in other areas.

(i) Take necessary action to ensure the sustainability and continuing delivery of building-based respite provision within existing budgets, including:  

• Maximising efficiency and capacity within the current delivery model
• Implementing a revised assessment and allocation process with review timescale, in line with eligibility criteria
• Implementing a maximum cap on respite allocation, in line with eligibility criteria
• Undertaking annual reviews of individual respite assessment and allocation
• Implementing East Dunbartonshire Council’s Fair Access to Community Care Policy robustly and consistently across children and adult services
• Implementing the Assistance with Transport Policy robustly and consistently across children and adult services.

(ii) Build on existing systems of allocating individual budgets

(iii) Develop a Respite Bureau to provide advice, signposting and support on the practical use of an individual budget, innovative respite solutions and access to private funding opportunities.

These proposed Redesign Principles are high-level as specific solutions will be needed at an individual, person-centred level.

However, they provide an important structure for local provision, commissioning and joint working across all partners.

If you would like to comment on the Redesign Proposals, please email or send your comments to the addresses below.

Please also get in touch if you would like a discussion, either individually or as a group.

An Easy Read version of the redesign proposal is also available for anyone who finds this format helpful.
Please send all comments to:

Gayle Paterson or Karen Lamb

• East Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership
• Kirkintilloch Health and Care Centre (KHCC)
• 10 Saramago Street
• Kirkintilloch G66 3BF.

Email: gayle.paterson@eastdunbarton.gov.uk / karen.lamb@nhs.scot

You can drop written comments into the KHCC reception if you prefer. Please mark for the attention of Gayle Paterson or Karen Lamb.

The closing date for this consultation is Tuesday 30 June 2026.

If you need this information in an alternative format like accessible PDF, large print, Easy Read, audio format or braille, please call us on 0300 123 4510 or get in touch via the addresses above.