Support for disabilities

Children and adults with learning disabilities

We aim to meet the needs of both children and adults with learning disabilities and offer them the support services they need, this includes:

  • day opportunities
  • day care
  • short breaks for children
  • respite at home or in care
  • shared lives care
  • disability equipment.

Day care

Day care centres offer you a safe, comfortable and friendly place where you can:

  • try new activities
  • learn new skills
  • meet new people
  • get therapeutic services, advice and support. 

Respite care

Respite care offers people with disabilities a chance to enjoy short breaks away and meet new people. It also offers carers a chance to take some time for themselves.

Respite care includes:

  • short breaks – from a few hours a week to a few weeks away
  • time spent in a safe day care or care home.

Respite care can be provided in your own home through a sitting service or in a care home.

Find out more about carers’ breaks and respite care

You can get respite care by:

  • contacting your social worker and finding out what type of respite care would be best for you
  • emailing ss.accessandinfo@medway.gov.uk to find out more about how respite care can benefit you
  • phoning 01634 334 466 if you don’t have a care manager.

Shared Lives

Shared Lives Carers invite adults with physical or learning disabilities to live with them in a family environment for a period of time. Half of shared lives placements go on to live independently for the first time in their lives.

Transforming care

The transforming care programme has been set up to improve services for young people with learning disabilities or autism who may display challenging behaviour or may struggle with mental health. The aim is to reduce hospital admission and support people in the community.

Annual health check

People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people. This does not need to be the case.

Annual health checks are for adults and young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability.

An annual health check helps you stay well by talking about your health and finding any problems early, so you get the right care.

More about annual health checks for people with learning disabilities.