Cllr Steve Foulkes, accompanied by Cllr Moira McLaughlin, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Inclusion, were joined by John Webb, Director of Adult Social Services, for the tour, which highlighted new developments in care and support that will help meet the needs of Wirral well into the future.

Said Cllr Foulkes: 'This was a great opportunity to see how we are meeting the challenge of providing high quality affordable care and a support system for our rapidly ageing population.

'We are committed to putting care and choice at the heart of our services; people want and have a right to expect modern services that are fit for purpose, and we hope that the direction Wirral's Adult Services are moving in promotes independence, choice and control for everyone,' he added.

People who use services are being involved in the transformation of Adult Social Services at Wirral through initiatives such as the Older People’s Parliament and the Learning Disability Partnership Board, (which enables people with mental health needs to take a full and active part in decision making). Consultation with people who use services is also taking place and will be ongoing as services continue to be transformed.

Developments include the introduction of individual budgets and person-centred assessments, allowing individuals to decide for themselves how best their needs can be met, instead of practitioners deciding for them.

'This customer-led approach means that services will have to change to meet those needs and Wirral can expect to see many changes over the next few months and years,' said Cllr Moira McLaughlin, Cabinet member for Social Care and Inclusion.

'The department will be developing more services which will help people at an earlier stage and will be working with the voluntary sector, the Primary Care Trust and other health organisations to do this. Some Council services will be streamlined with those offered by the health service, and more services will be offered at local level.

'In so doing, we hope to make our mission statement for Adult Social Services - 'Supporting Individuals and Communities in Wirral to Thrive' - a reality,' added Cllr McLaughlin.

The tour included:
• Harvest Court, Berrylands Road, Moreton, which offers extra care sheltered housing for 40 people as an alternative to entering residential care. Facilities include a café and a hairdressers. Harvest Court is a successful collaboration between Wirral's Department of Adult Social Services, Wirral's Department of Regeneration, Age Concern and the charity Housing 21, a major national provider of services for older people.
• Cherrytrees, Cherry Tree Road, Moreton, an extra care sheltered housing scheme offering accommodation and support to 13 people with dementia, again as an alternative to residential care, allowing them to remain in their local community for as long as possible. Cherrytrees has been the prototype for two other extra care schemes currently in development, one offering up to 70 units in Wallasey and another on the site of the former Mendell Lodge, Brombrough, offering extra care sheltered housing for 40 people.
• Girtrell Court, Woodpecker Close, Upton, which is currently home to 13 people who are being consulted about their preferences for accommodation for the future. Girtrell Court's 'Smarthouse' houses a range of Assistive Technology which enables people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, and is offered through district nurses and care managers. The team has won a North West Health innovation award for its work.
• Moreton Centre, Pasture Road, Moreton, which offers day time activities to a wide range of people with learning disabilities.

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