On 16 June 2016, Barnet Council’s Adults and Safeguarding Committee agreed a new contract for Your Choice Barnet (YCB).

The council’s current agreement with YCB is due to end on 31 January 2017 and the new contract with YCB is set for five years* from 1 February 2017 with an extension period of two years.

Director of Care and Support Julie Riley said: “We are delighted that the council has given Your Choice Barnet a five year contract, so we can carry on offering excellent services to people with learning and physical disabilities and help them gain control over their lives.”

Julie Riley continues: “The new contract will also provide an opportunity for YCB to bring forward a range of innovative models of support that will help to meet people’s changing expectations and provide improved outcomes for the people we support. All services will continue to be provided and all of the current YCB sites will remain open.”

As part of the new proposals currently being consulted, people with learning disabilities will be supported to find meaningful work and live more independently if they wish to through new services provided by YCB.

Cllr Sachin Rajput, Chairman of the Adults and Safeguarding Committee, said: “Your Choice Barnet provides our service users with a range of care and support which helps them improve their quality of life. As the demands of individuals change, so too should the care we are providing, which is why I am pleased Your Choice Barnet’s innovative models of support will provide opportunities for people to choose the level of independence they want.”

Public consultation on the Your Choice Barnet models runs from July – September 2016 so there will be further opportunities for service users and parents and carers to have a part in shaping YCB’s future services.

*The new contract term is for five years and two months, from 1 February 2017 to 31 March 2022, with an extension period of two years.