The Welsh Government has updated the supported living guidance: coronavirus.
From the 13th March 2021 it is possible for tenants and families to meet up outdoors for walks or in private gardens – but no more than four adults from two different households, as is the case for everyone in Wales.
It is important to note that children are not counted within that number of four – so, for example, a sibling, spouse and a child from one household could visit the brother or sister, and that would be in line with the above-mentioned rule, as that would be three adults from two different households.
Please find the updated guidance here.
Update 25/03/2021
All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers of People with a Learning Disability and All Wales People First have continued to share stories of families being separated during the latest lockdown, and the negative impacts this has had on individuals and family carers. Providers have also shared concerns around the mental health and well-being impacts for their tenants.
Together with the wider Learning Disability Consortium and with support from Welsh Government, we have continued to advocate that people with a learning disability living in supported living can be reunited with their families at the same time as the rest of the wider population in Wales. As a consequence of this shared agenda, we are pleased to confirm that the supported living visitation guidance has been updated to reflect the rights of tenants and families in the current situation, and we are actively encouraging our wider networks to work together with providers to re-connect safely.
Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration, and Albert Heaney, Deputy Director General Health and Social Services, have co-signed a letter to both Social Services Leads and Provider networks, focusing on the point that seeing family and friends should be a presumed right and provided alongside proportionate, person-centred risk assessments, as per the Supported Living Guidance: Coronavirus.
The All Wales Forum and All Wales People First welcome both the update and the letter reinforcing this rights-based approach, and are looking forward to seeing providers able to proactively support people with a learning disability living in supported living to be reunited with their families and loved ones face to face.
Please find the letter below:
