Proposal to stop the Southend-on-Sea dementia support service - consultation

Reports to cabinet, Analysis Report including decision can be found on the right of this webpage - Reports to Cabinet and Feedback from Consultation.

We would like your views on proposals to stop the Southend-on-Sea dementia support service run by Southend City Council. The service offers information, practical advice, and support to help individuals and their carers to understand dementia and live well with dementia. This includes running motivational and activity groups. Although, the service currently supports residents in Southend-on-Sea, Castle Point, and Rochford local council areas, this consultation is limited to the service provided for Southend-on-Sea residents.

Due to the current financial challenges faced by Southend-on-Sea City Council, we need to review and re-examine the services we offer, to ensure that we can continue to pay for those public services which are statutory and essential. Unfortunately, the dementia support service has been identified as one service that may need to be stopped and savings made. 

This consultation is one of a number that the council will be running over the coming weeks, as it seeks to deal with the current financial challenges and set a realistic and balanced budget for 2024/25 and beyond. Visit our website for more information. 

The proposal to stop offering this service has not been taken lightly. Whilst we acknowledge the valuable support that the service has provided to residents living with dementia and those that support them, unlike most of the adult care and support services that the Council provides, a dementia support service is not required by law. 

If the service is discontinued, the Council will explore alternatives to reduce the negative effects of closing the services. These may include connecting people to available community resources and collaborating with non-profit organisations specialising in dementia care. The council is adapting its operating and practice models with a focus on prevention and early engagement. However, it is important to recognise that these are unlikely to replicate or replace the comprehensive support currently provided. 

Please note that this is not a referendum. We want to hear what you have to say, however, the results of the consultation are advisory. They will, however, provide clear evidence of people’s views, which your councillors will take into account when making a decision.

All feedback received during the consultation period will be carefully reviewed and considered. The findings will be used to inform decision making. The final decision will be communicated, along with information on any alternative arrangements or support services that may be available.

You can tell us your views by completing an online survey below or a paper survey in one of Southend’s libraries.

The consultation closed at 5pm on 2nd February 2024