A charter aimed at helping people with learning disabilities has been welcomed by a mother who relies on the services.
In a bid to improve the support offered, Perth and Kinross Council will follow 12 pledges over the next three years.
Among them is a promise to help young people with learning disabilities through the transition of moving from school into adulthood by providing an enablement team and establishing a single, streamlined process.
During yesterday’s meeting of the housing and health committee, Kate Sanger said this was the ”most difficult” time for parents and carers.
She said that, without the support of a transition worker, she and her daughter Laura would have found it hard to cope with changes.
”There are a lot of people involved in Laura’s care, from neurologists to occupational therapists, so it is hard to coordinate them all,” said Ms Sanger.
”Our transition worker did this and I really don’t know if I would have coped during this difficult time without her.
”My daughter has very complex needs and our transition worker was able to find out what Laura needed to live her life how she wanted to.
”We were also able to access direct payments, which meant we could budget properly to meet her needs.
”One of the most important things for us is that Laura gets to grow up at home and be a part of the community.”
Members of the committee praised Ms Sanger for her presentation and looked for assurances that money was in place to make the charter and its pledges sustainable.
They were advised by housing and community care director David Burke that the improvements were being funded through a joint investment by Perth and Kinross Council and NHS Tayside of almost £17 million.
”We want to get the best outcomes for the best value for money and we will remain faithful to that pledge.”
The new strategy outlines the next three years of service and investment priorities.
As well as helping with transitions, the pledges also include supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently, getting the best healthcare and advice and providing employment services.
Major investment is planned to achieve these promises, including around £750,000 on ”new build” special housing for those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as further £805,000 on the redesign of services for children, young people and adults.
The joint strategy group will regularly monitor the progress of the initiative over three years to ensure its continued success.