In accordance with the Department’s strategy of supporting people with a learning disability, the Department of Social Care is pleased to announce the opening of a new community home bungalow providing residential accommodation for 4 adults at Cronk Grainagh in Braddan. The new home will provide specialist care and tailored services for the affected service users to enable them to live fulfilling lives in the community. Minister for Social Care Hon Martyn Quayle MHK commented: “The new home in Braddan is a valuable addition to providing care for those in need of it. I am delighted that the Department continues to improve the standard of accommodation available to people with a learning disability while remaining within our budget.” The Department has over 40 premises across the Island providing residential and day care to thousands of people with a wide range of needs. This latest investment is part of the Department’s capital programme in that estate. The new home will replace the Department’s existing community home in Duke Street in Peel which will close, enabling staff to transfer to the new home and so ensuring additional resources are not required to open the new home. The new custom-built building offers substantial advantages over the Duke Street premises which would have required substantial investment if it were to stay open. The 3 residents in Duke Street and their parents and carers have been consulted on their choices and are being provided with alternative accommodation. The Department’s Political Member for Social Services Mr Bill Malarkey MHK added: “The Department works closely with service users and their families and carers to understand their needs and give them choices in the services they receive. We are conscious that the expectations of individuals and families have risen substantially in recent years as they seek to secure accommodation and services that enable them to live full and rewarding lives as independently as possible. In addition, due to advances in medical science, the number of individuals with learning disabilities continues to grow significantly. The Department is constantly striving to broaden its range of services to meet both these rising expectations and growing demands for our services. I hope everyone can appreciate that this is a difficult balancing act in the current financial climate where it is vital Government manages its overall expenditure.” - ENDS -