Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with learning disabilities have access to day care services.

Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan the care and support needs of their local population. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to shape the local care market to ensure a diverse range of high quality and sustainable care and support services are provided, including day services for those with learning disabilities.

We continue to support to local authorities to ensure the appropriate tools and resources are available to effectively manage the local market. The Department funds support and improvement work in the sector, including the Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services to deliver the Care and Health Improvement Programme.

In addition, we have written to local authorities to reiterate the importance of day services and respite for carers and to encourage authorities to access the funding available.