Ellie Ames 10 October 2024

Birmingham day centres set for axe

Birmingham day centres set for axe image
Image: Tony Nolan / Shutterstock.com

Councillors in Birmingham have been advised to approve the closure of four day centres for disabled adults.

Birmingham City Council launched a consultation on the future of its nine day centres after committing to cut costs by £1.95m this year and £3.35m next year.

In an online survey, 69% of respondents disagreed strongly with the plans to close four of the services, as did 43% of adults who used the centres and 56% of their carers in a separate questionnaire.

Concerns were raised about people having to adjust to new locations, with some having attended the same centre for more than 40 years, and about extra journey times of up to an hour.

But Birmingham argued that attendance at the centres had reduced ‘significantly’ since 2019, with most only around half full, and said there were 70 staff vacancies.

The council pledged that people would be ‘fully supported to relocate to an alternative service of their choice, which would be equipped to meet their physical, behavioural, sensory and emotional needs’.

Birmingham’s cabinet member for health and social care, Rob Pocock, said: ‘Many councils no longer run in-house day centres, so I’m pleased we have still found the money to keep five going across the city.

‘But we do need to save on costs and the remaining centres do need to be fully utilised.’

The council’s cabinet will make a final decision on the cuts on 15 October.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Debtors and Collection Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 5 £26,403 - 28,598 p.a. Pro rata
This is an exciting opportunity in an ever-changing revenues environment where you will continue to learn and develop your skills and experience with Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Crossing Patrol

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £4,800 (approx.) £12.85 per hour
Join our School Crossing Patrol Service! Are you punctual and reliable? Do you have good communication skills and a strong sense of community spirit? Ferryhill
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Sessional Lecturers

Durham County Council
Unqualified Teachers 1 - 6, £22,601 - £35,259 pro rata to hours worked
An exciting opportunity has arisen for Sessional Lecturers to join Durham County Council’s Adult Learning service - DurhamLearn, delivering a wide ran Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Public Health Consultant

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
£81,347 - £90,305
This is a great opportunity to join our Public Health at Tameside MBC. Tameside, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Housing Strategy and Development Manager

Mansfield District Council
£50,269 - £54,495 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council
Linkedin Banner