Caithness social care survey expected to show ‘overwhelming need’
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Caithness social care survey is expected to demonstrate an “overwhelming” case for bringing back some form of day centre provision for children and adults with autism, neurodivergent conditions and additional support needs.
The survey was launched this week by Encompass Caithness, a recently formed campaign group, and will run for at least a month. The aim is to encourage families to share their experiences so that pressure can be put on authorities to address shortfalls in services locally.
Respite care was provided at Thor House in Thurso up until the outbreak of the pandemic. A review was then to be undertaken, but when Avonlea in Wick was shut at the end of 2022 youngsters were transferred to Thor House and Highland Council said there was no need for a respite unit at the Thurso centre.
Dan Mackay is a member of Encompass Caithness and is providing advisory support to the group. He is a retired care inspector who was the original manager at Thor House when it opened in 1993.
“The survey is really to find evidence of the scale of need, whether it’s respite for children or a day centre or that people need support with schooling,” Mr Mackay explained.
“We will be very active in distributing it and definitely trying to encourage people to complete it, because we need the evidence of that survey.
“When I managed Thor House, 19 families of children used it and they each averaged 30 days a year of respite. One study said that over the last 25 years there has been a 787 per cent increase [nationally] in autism diagnoses.
“I think the survey is going to prove an overwhelming need for people wanting a return of some day centre provision.
“Dozens of people are lamenting the closure of the Wellington Centre [a facility in Wick that provided day services for adults with a learning disability].
“We probably wouldn't want to see the old version of the Wellington Centre, but maybe a modern hub that's intergenerational and is a microcosm of the wider community.”
He added: “I think the main thing will be people wanting an adult day centre, but there are also people who can only get a few hours of schooling a week for their children. Education is a statutory provision.”
The survey was launched on Tuesday evening at a meeting in Wick Youth Club.
It can be found online through the Encompass Caithness Facebook page and hard copies are available if required.
“We are already getting some submissions coming back,” Mr Mackay said. “We're not in any hurry to close it – we want to get a good response.
“We're also emailing it out to people, and we have hard copies. If people want a hard copy, we’ll drop it off to them with a stamped addressed envelope.”
Anyone wishing more information about the survey can email the chairperson of Encompass Caithness, Sarah Scollay, at sarahscollay@outlook.com
Mr Mackay added that the group has had confirmation from one of its members, Elizabeth Jones, that Highland Council is to provide two places for children’s respite in the far north.
