A new era for people with learning difficulties in North Yorkshire is being ushered in.

Members of the county council's social services committee will debate a new policy and strategy paper when they meet next Thursday .

They aim to develop services which allow people with learning disabilities to be valued citizens and ensure they can live safely in their local community and contribute to it.

Seamus Breen, head of community care assessment and purchasing, said: "We have listened very closely to the wishes and aspirations of users, carers and staff.

"The task ahead of us is to continue working with people to ensure we deliver and purchase excellent services both now and in the future."

Mr Breen said action plans would focus particularly on existing day-care provision by social services.

"People in North Yorkshire will be urged to take part in a series of discussions to ensure that services are local, accessible, appropriate to local needs and deliver on the new policy."

He said: "We have something in the region of 780 people who are receiving services from us at the moment, and there will be more in the community."

These services include day centres, respite care, residential care and the adult placement scheme.

Mr Breen said the proposed changes were evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, "because services are already beginning to move towards the community".

Under the new system, local steering groups will look at existing services and spending patterns before gauging future demand.

Councillor Shelagh Marshall, who chairs the social services committee, said: "We believe the process will be able to identify where services need to change and on what timescale.

"There will be a much greater local feel to the whole operation."

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