Purpose

The Safe Space project is a critical initiative aimed at
supporting individuals with learning disabilities and / or autism
who are experiencing a crisis that threatens their current living
situation. 
The project aims to provide a community-based “Safe
Space” 2 self-contained new builds with an additional staff /
multi-purpose support space on site providing an alternative to
hospital admission, allowing individuals to stay close to home
whilst receiving intensive support to reset and stabilise their wellbeing.
 

Content

To enter into a grant agreement to award Choice Support
£1,550,891 to implement the decision of Cabinet to approve
the inclusion of Safe Space into the capital programme with a budget of £1.795m (para
64-66).
 
The project will de-commission an existing building and
build a new facility called ‘The Safe Space’ to be
located on Wantage Road, Didcot. 
 
It will provide two self-contained single-storey buildings with enclosed gardens and parking
spaces, as well as a third building to accommodate Support Provider
staff who are on duty throughout the day and night, to enable safe
withdrawal and monitoring of individuals in the safe
space. 
 
This third building will also provide a flexible space for
skills teaching, day support for crisis prevention and support
moves back into longer term supported housing.
 

Reasons for the decision

Decision was made to enter this scheme into the capital
programme with a budget of
£1.795m to be funded by S106 developer
contributions.  The initial grant
awarded to Choice Support will be £1,550,891.
Signing of the grant agreement is to enter into an
agreement with Choice Support to deliver the new build on behalf of the council.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing, refurbish an existing site.
 
Neither of the alternative options would be able to provide
an adequate alternative to hospital to meet the needs of people who
need very robust, low stimulus, specialist property solution
alongside specialist support.