Universal Services

Anthony Mohammed

Adult Services Department

January 2010

WHAT ARE UNIVERSAL SERVICES?

• Universal Services are those services anyone in the borough should have access to

• Regardless of need or eligibility criteria and are open to all, including self-funders

• They include – housing, leisure, transport, information & advice and advocacy support

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Community Based Support– Occupational Therapy– Integrated Community Equipment Store– Assistive Technology– Learning & Employment– Carers Support Team

Cont’d…..

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Community Capacity Development– Community engagement and participation– Information, advice & advocacy services for

staff and service users– Early intervention & prevention– Developing voluntary, community and 3rd

sector organisations to provide support where appropriate

UPDATE

• Recruitment of Service Managers complete• Mapping of information, advice and

prevention/intervention services ongoing• Carers Centre scheduled to open in Jan/Feb 2010• Links to new Wigan Life Centres established for

universal information and advice• Representatives from service user groups, e.g.

Carers, invited onto TSC Board

Cont’d…..

UPDATE (Contd.)• Staff briefings ongoing• Specific service user engagement – Carers event in November• Establish a forum for the public to be involved• Web site development• Internal & external communication strategy complete• Identifying intervention and prevention services for further

development

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES

• Voluntary & third sector supported to develop services in localities

• Develop information & advice services regardless of means or needs, e.g. Carer networks, Age Concern, CAB, WIAC, Schools, GP surgeries, SureStart venues, community venues, Wigan Life Centres, etc.

• Link to Leisure & Wellbeing agenda for maintaining and improving health options for people

• Work with ‘re-ablement’ programme to support people to re-gain skills lost through illness, accident or disability

KEY PARTNERS

• Wigan Council staff• NHS / PCT• JC Plus• Carers Networks• Learning Disability Partnership Board• Older Peoples’ Forum• Veteran’s Group• Community organisations & representatives