Two day centres for people with learning disabilities could close next year.

The closures are an attempt to revolutionise day care in the borough and develop opportunities.

Services are currently provided from three council-run centres: Waylands in Waddon; Heavers Farm in Selhurst; and Cherry Orchard in Addiscombe.

In February 2004 Waylands could close, and Heavers Farm may shut its doors five months later.

But Andrew Maskell, learning disabilities strategic change manager, denies the closures are the results of cut backs.

Speaking at a Broad Green and Waddon neighbourhood partnership meeting, he said that under the current system people remain segregated and resources need to be used differently.

He said: "If we move the services forward there would not be a need for three large day centres.

"The value is not the building but what happens in it," and confirmed when centres might close.

He added: "These are big changes for the people but we believe they will produce better things for service users."

Consultations are ongoing with staff, users, parents and carers.

Under the plans, Cherry Orchard day centre will become a borough-wide facility and small centres close to where people live will be developed.

A pilot resource base in New Addington will expand, and three more put in place one in the south west of the borough and two in the north. A drop-in service is also on the cards.

The reforms follow a Best Value Review in 2001, which found an over-reliance of traditional models of service provision, providing little opportunity to access mainstream activities, services and employment.

Councillor Paula Shaw, cabinet member for social services, assures change will be carried out carefully. She said: "We need to modernise the service. It is way out of date.

He added: "There will be more community facilities rather than people trapped in one base going here, there and everywhere."

January 29, 2003 14:00