Our commissioning approach for adults, children and families in Gateshead - commissioning priorities 2024-2025
6. Sustainable homes and support for adults and children with complex behaviour related needs
The needs of these individuals of all ages offer a consistent and growing challenge for Gateshead and all local authorities and NHS partners. Behaviour challenge manifests in different ways including self-harm, suicide risk, physical violence to others, aggressive or disturbed behaviour, significant distress or manipulation of others to cause harm. Behaviour needs can be associated with a range of trauma, different diagnoses or with none. Behaviour needs which challenge commonly cause the breakdown of family or other supportive relationships including unpaid care, as well as that of formal care arrangements.
The challenge of this area of need for the council and its partners is seen in:
- problems in finding appropriate accommodation and support
- frequent breakdown of services
- the imperative to avoid hospital admissions wherever possible and expedite discharge from hospital
- the very high prices often charged for services and accommodation by providers, often arising more from commercial opportunity and assumption of risk, rather than direct costs involved
Various strategic approaches instigated or co-ordinated by the council are expected to have a positive impact on responding to the challenges related to supporting people with complex behaviour needs. These include:
- complex Housing Programme for adult social care
- strategic housing needs assessment and strategy for supported housing approved by Cabinet in 2023
- continued development of in-house residential provision for children
- proposed development and expansion of in-house council accommodation and support for adults with complex needs, including supported living for young disabled people transitioning to adulthood and residential respite for adults with complex needs, including those funded through Continuing Health Care (CHC)
- extended commissioning engagement with providers of residential care for children and young adults with complex behaviour needs