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Local Area Co-ordination

Support for People with Learning Disabilities and their Families

In the year 2000 the 'Same as You' report was published. This report reviewed the services that were available to individuals with learning disabilities and their families. There were 29 recommendations made in the report of which number 2 recommended the implementation of Local Area Co-ordination.

Out of this review came the fact that people with learning disabilities and their families wanted to live normal lives.

They wanted to:

• Live in the community and be included
• Have more say in decisions and control over their own care
• Get the information they need to help them make decisions
• Get the chance to work if they want to
• To be listened to and supported by their community
• To get the chance to keep learning and developing
• Have more friends and better social lives

The role of the Local Area Co-ordinator is to:

• Get to know people with learning disabilities and their families
• Work alongside those families and the people they care for to get them a better life
• Develop long term, trusting relationships with individuals and their families
• Use a person and family centred approach
• Empower individuals and their families to develop their own strategies, to support themselves and to make their own choices.
• Be consistent and offer reliable support and information when needed
• Act as a link to bring people and services together
• Be credible to individuals, families and others.
• Be inclusive at all levels in all situations

A family story of how the support of the Local Area Co-ordinator can help

I met with Neil at a meet and greet meeting in a local hotel. When I say I met him I could not get near him for people wanting to talk to him but I picked up some literature with his contact numbers on them.

I phoned him at a later date to ask him for some help and advice but he could not help on that occasion but offered to come and visit me at my home and see if he could be of help in other ways.

My son did not take to Neil at first and it took a few weeks before he would sit and talk to him. As for myself it took even longer and I could hardly talk to Neil without crying and getting upset.

Neil would talk about the future for both my son and me, which I had not given much thought about, and he (after a couple of months) would suggest this and that and I would get upset and cry but as I got to know Neil I would realise that what he was suggesting was for the best for my son and me.

During this time while listening to my son and me talk Neil realised that I did most things for my son without thinking, even answering questions for him. Neil brought this to my attention and gradually over months he started to ask my son and me to let my son do simple things for himself (e.g. wash his own hair). Each week my son was asked to do one more thing for himself and he would agree by shaking Neil's hand. Some weeks Neil would have a wasted journey as my son would be in a bad mood and he would not come out of his room to talk to him.

Neil has opened my eyes to many possibilities for both my son and me. I now look to the future with hope instead of fear. He also has me attending meetings and conferences in relation to my son's condition and side issues. He suggested that we try for ILF and with his help my son was awarded money and now gets out and about a lot more. This in turn makes life better for me as I don't have my son under my feet arguing with me.

The Local Area Co-ordinator scheme is a great idea and should be used more. Neil McCleary is the voice of reason, sometimes advocate, sometimes bully, but I like to think of him as a friend to my son and me.

If you feel you would benefit or you know someone who may benefit from speaking to the Local Area Co-ordinator please contact us using the details below.