The ChAD committee frequently hear people in supported living remarking about the service they receive therefore they made the decision to visit people they represent in SMILE services to listen to their voices.

This was also appropriate as ChAD are frequently involved in the supported living Tender questions to the care providers (where concerns are raised through the questions). We had also been involved in the All Age Learning Disability and Autism Strategy work where this subject was covered.

Visits have been made to three SMILE services and numerous comments both positive and negative have been documented .

It is apparent that some care providers appear to demonstrate good practice better than others and that in some cases people with a Learning Disability just accept situations which they feel they cannot do anything about .

Meetings have been held with commissioners Julia King and Aneka Leyland about positive practice and negative concerns.

Future plans are for ChAD to visit more SMILE services,  to talk with more people about their experiences , and feedback relevant information.