By John Baron and Noah Roberts
Families have been left upset and worried for the future after one of the city’s leading providers for day services said it was ending its contract with Leeds City Council.
Aspire CBS supports around 500 disabled adults through its day services in Leeds.
But the organisation has announced that due to financial challenges and ‘chronic’ underfunding that they have taken the ‘difficult decision to hand back contracts to Leeds City Council by May 2027’.
Families across the city, including in West Leeds, have been impacted by this decision. Services are currently provided to families at 19 buildings across Leeds, including Bramley Fulfilling Lives Service Community Hub, and at Kirkstall and Pudsey Leisure Centres.
WLD met with some of the families affected by Aspire’s move.
Lynn Nelson has set up a what’s app group for families affected by the changes and is encouraging people to join ahead of a meeting with the council on Wednesday. She’s encouraging families to put pressure on the council to let them know how important the services are to encourage attendees confidence, independence and
She said families were concerned that the provision might ‘collapse’ if alternative service providers are not found. She added: “It’s a real worry if they don’t manage to find another provider and we are determined to let the council know about our concerns.”
Parents can join the what’s app group by contacting Jo Brophy on 07879 081319.
Tajinder Blackman, 45, of Horsforth, said her brother Amrik Reehal has severe cerebral palsy and acute learning difficulties, meaning he needs 24-hour care.
She said the uncertainty surrounding the service had sparked fears that users and their families could lose a lifeline service that helps tackle isolation and loneliness. “I fear my brother would lose his friends and be left stuck in his flat without this service. It would be back to how it was in Covid.”
Amanda Freeman, of Wortley, said it was an uncertain time for her 31-year-old son. Lewis, a person with Down Syndrome who has been attending the service at Pudsey Leisure Centre.
She said that services like the one Lewis attends are an opportunity for disabled people to meet their peers, make friends and build independence and confidence.
Another parent added: “You do not know when you are going to need this service yourself. Everyone is one severe stroke or bad accident being reliant on this. People need to put themselves in that position. Losing it will have a massive impact on a family’s respite or work situation.
“Attendees’ physical and mental health would certainly be affected and the result would be a massive impact on the NHS. The council must ensure this service continues.”
Aspire have faced financial challenges due to a combination of rising costs and chronic underfunding.
Rebecca Phillips, from Aspire CBS, said: “Aspire, like many organisations, are impacted by the ongoing chronic underfunding in social care nationally, along with ongoing increases in costs.
“We are doing all we can as a responsible employer, in challenging circumstances to ride this storm to ensure we continue to offer vital services to people with learning disabilities in Leeds who we care deeply about.”
A recent Leeds City Council budget included a 4.99 per cent increase to council tax, of which two per cent is dedicated to support adult social care costs.
Aspire added in a statement: “We are aware of how difficult these uncertain times are for the families of the people we support.
“We’re working as closely with them as we can on the matter, keeping regular contact and having upcoming meetings where they have been invited to attend and ask questions. We’re giving them regular updates as soon as we are able and continue to welcome their questions and feedback.
“It’s a challenging time and we’re committed to working as closely with them as we possibly can.”
Leeds City Council have said that services will continue as normal until May 2027. They are in the process of procuring new providers, with arrangements expected to be in place by next May.
Last month Prime Minister Andy Burnham set out his commitment to reform adult social care and deliver a National Care Service.
Mr Burnham recognised that it requires fresh thinking and cross-party collaboration to make long-term reform possible.
He said the key to reforming the adult social care system will be the findings of the Independent Commission led by Baroness Louise Casey, which was set up last year to look at both shorter-term improvements to the social care system and the bigger questions that will lead us to a National Care Service. The Prime Minister announced that the Commission’s work will now be accelerated, delivering its report by summer 2027.