Day or Community Opportunities Framework for people with a learning disability, mental health condition, autism, older people, physical impairment and or sensory impairment in Cumberland Council's administrative area

The Care Act 2014 requires Councils to provide services which enable a shift towards more personalised care and support. In providing services for Adults who meet Care Act eligibility criteria, the Council must have regard to the need to promote individuals’ well-being, including physical and mental health, emotional wellbeing, participation in work, education, recreation, and social and economic wellbeing The Act further identifies that high-quality, personalised care and support can only be achieved where there is a vibrant, responsive market of service providers. Duties are placed on councils to commission a diverse and sustainable range of care and support providers who continuously improve quality and choice, in order to meet the needs of people who need care and support.

Day Opportunities play a key role in supporting disabled and older people to maintain and develop new skills, prevent social isolation, support inclusion and presence in their local communities and provide a break from caring and support for unpaid carers ensuring they can continue to offer ongoing support.

The focus of the Framework will be upon outcome-based support, with providers expected to both demonstrate innovative solutions to meet individual needs and clearly evidence how individual outcomes have been achieved.