Highland Council is working on reinstating respite care, says Cllr Bremner at Wick meeting
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Emotions ran high at a public meeting in Wick hosted by a pressure group to improve services for children and adults with autism and additional support needs.
Encompass Caithness chaired the meeting in the pavilion of the Rosebank Playing Fields at which members of the public shared their thoughts as many sought a solution to the long-term provision of respite care in Caithness after council cutbacks.
Annemarie Simpson, vice chair and secretary of the group, said: “Encompass Caithness would like to thank the leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner [SNP, Wick and East Caithness] for accepting our invite to meet our campaign group.
“On Wednesday night we had a fantastic turnout from our members to come and have their say.
“We had a great opportunity to explain in person, our campaign, its origins and most importantly our concerns and frustration at the lack of support in schools and much-needed local services.
“Raymond listened intently to the campaign we presented to him, asking many questions whilst interactively relaying information to his officers to work on. Our members were given the opportunity to ‘tell their story’ and nearly everyone in the room gave their heartfelt, frustrated and personal stories.”
Ms Simpson said that the stories showed “consistent letdowns in schooling, the need for early intervention and the avoidable struggles autistic people face” daily due to the lack of services.
The campaign group is pushing for improved services in the county for children and adults with autism, neurodivergent conditions and additional support needs. 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 children’s home in Wick 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.
Ms Simpson said it was very clear from the meeting that there was a desperate need for essential respite provision to help parents and families. She said the overriding message that came through was one of ‘hope’.
Group advisor Dan Mackay talked of feeling “delighted and encouraged” by the event and was looking forward to a meeting with the local area committee of Caithness councillors.
“Ultimately their actions will speak louder than words as we seek to deliver improvements to local social care services – and to see improved school experiences and outcomes for children with additional support needs,” said Mr Mackay.
“We will soon be setting up family sub-groups to identify and define exactly what it is people want and need to overcome the difficulties they face on a day-to-day basis.”
Mr Mackay said Encompass was looking forward to working with its new partners in the council and at NHS Highland to help achieve its objectives.
Cllr Raymond Bremner described Encompass Caithness as “a wonderful group of folks” and encouraged people to fill in the group’s survey which is online until the end of May.
The councillor noted some key points saying that the NHS and council need to work together more to find solutions to the issues and challenges presented at the meeting.
He added: “What do we recognise respite to be and how do we provide that for the people who need it – recognising that one consideration of provision may not be appropriate to everyone that needs it.
“I mentioned that Highland Council is working on reinstating respite care not just in Caithness but across the Highlands. It is one of their highest priorities. However, folks are keen to ensure that there is a ‘suite’ of options that support the variable nature of respite provision requirements.”
He talked about the “absence of structured provision” when schools are on holiday being a particular focus and the challenge of having support provided during school term being exacerbated during school holiday time.
“There were many, many individual contributions of heart-felt, personal and often emotional examples of how individuals have been affected and I noted many of their points that I can take up with officers that will hopefully contribute to the work that they are doing in being able to reinstate respite care and improve other associated needs support.”
Sarah Jane Scollay, chair of Encompass Caithness, said: “Our group is about campaigning for people like my son Tyler who has severe autism and at 18 is being failed.
“There are no places for him to go, to feel safe and secure, or to develop meaningful relationships. Our main goal is to get a day centre up in Caithness that will help a multitude of isolated people in a similar situation to Tyler.
“This group is about giving a voice to the people who can't express their wants and needs and need understanding and support as they go through adult life knowing they are important and included.”
Cllr Bremner said a report on the matter would go to the health, social care and wellbeing committee of Highland Council.
