Planit East

The East area is where the Self Directed Support/Individual Budget Pilot is being undertaken. This area is recognised as one of the Scottish Government Test Sites for the strategic development of this work.

There are two large day centres in that area for supporting people with learning disabilities. The Accord Centre and Riddrie Centre.
The Accord was due to close on 31st March but will remain open until a suitable venue has been found, GCC are looking at community centres/venues rather than a council run/owned building.
East Carers group continue to campaign for a like for like day service building, they organised a lobby at the City Chambers in March which resulted in a meeting with Cllr Matt Kerr and Anne-Marie Rafferty the Social Work Manager for the area. Cllr Kerr has agreed to speak to the chair person of the Health & Wellbeing committee to ask for this to be put on the agenda at the next meeting.  Carers have asked for the service users to remain in the Accord building until they either have gone through the SDS process or until an alternative suitable like for like building has replaced the Accord. 
Carers also met with Alex Salmond to discuss this issue.  The East Carers group also have many issues/concerns regarding SDS and have been highlighting them at all meetings.  This group now meet on a monthly basis.and a steering group has been set up which involves users and carers supported by Planning Together. Some of the individuals using the centres are considering taking an individual budget and planning and organising their own support. Others have already done so.

There is also a local Planning and Implementation Group in East called Spotlight which meets regularly and is also supported by Planning Together. They are keen to plan and host an event about Self Directed Support.