Daycare provision in Ulverston is where it needs to be now after confusion when services were moved, a council official has said.

Pam Duke, the assistant director for provider services at Cumbria County Council, was challenged on why the location of care services had changed twice by Councillor Mark Wilson, who represents Ulverston East.

He said: “Changing venues and changing the use of venues is confusing for carers, parents and the people we are trying to care for in Ulverston. Have there not been any complaints?"

Ms Duke understood why there could be confusion but defended the changing locations in Ulverston.

She said: “I know Ulverston is the one location where we have had the most change.

"We moved out of Ford Park quite quickly and moved into Marsh House temporarily, which I can tell you now will be a new permanent base.

“It was a challenge to get there and it was confusing for some families, as some of the move was very fast-moving indeed, and yes we should have kept more people informed around Ulverston about this move, but we are where we need to be now.”

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The debate on the situation in Ulverston came as part of the council's scrutiny advisory board into adult services.

Ms Duke also explained how the pandemic had put a strain on many of the services offered to vulnerable adults.

She said: “At the start of the pandemic we had to make one of those phone calls that you never hope you have to make and temporarily close our day opportunities for older adults and people living with disabilities in our building-based services.

But alternative support was put in place where possible to allow vulnerable groups to access essential equipment.”

Ms Duke informed councillors that new ways of working had to be found quickly.

She said: “We had to quickly develop an online presence to keep people connected.

“We developed an outreach service whereby some people were supported from their own home with things like shopping activities and carer breaks.

“We found a way to bring in staff from the day opportunities teams to fill the gaps; this has helped us to respond where situations were escalating and needed extra support in the assisted-living environment, so all were looked after appropriately.

“We have also taken a best interest decision to allow social workers to undertake capacity work with some individuals who are unable to make decisions themselves about attending a day opportunity.

“All our Cumbria Care buildings have finally been assessed and are Covid-safe, but will take in less people for now; so, that’s just 15 people in bubbles including staff and individuals under national guidance.”