FAQs

Before any decision on the future of the Markhouse Centre is taken, the Council wants to hear the views and opinions from people currently accessing day opportunities, their family carers, residents, providers and other key stakeholders about the proposal to close the Markhouse Centre.

Several steps are being taken to involve service users and their families in the decision-making process during the consultation.  They are:

• The consultation document;
• An online consultation survey to express views and opinions;
• A consultation survey in Easy Read format;
• Letters to every resident currently accessing the service to notify them of dates and times of drop-in sessions being held at the Markhouse Road Centre;
• Drop-in sessions at Markhouse Centre with local advocacy support available;
• Online drop-in/meeting to express views and opinions;
• A dedicated email address: MarkhouseCentreConsultation@walthamforest.gov.uk

The Council is committed to ensuring a people-centred and inclusive approach to supporting individuals with learning disabilities, and individuals with learning disabilities and autism. This commitment extends beyond activities in building based services to empower individuals to live independently and fulfil their aspirations. 

The Council has reviewed the service offer at the Markhouse Centre, and the outcome of the review has identified that:

• The Markhouse Centre primarily offers building based activities and has a limited range of options for personalised support for individuals in the wider community. 
• The building condition requires at least £1.2 million spent on it to meet the standards of a modern-day service. Works would be disruptive too, and the service might not be able to operate whilst they were undertaken.
• Other day service providers in Waltham Forest and nearby areas can offer a broader range of activities which offer better value for the Council compared with the costs of running the Markhouse Centre.

A building survey in 2023 estimated that Markhouse Centre would require substantial investment of over £1.2 million to bring it up to an acceptable condition to continue to deliver a modern-day service.  

Building based day opportunities are the programmes of activities held in a physical location, such as a community centres or special facilities specifically for individuals with learning disabilities, and individuals with learning disabilities and autism. These services provide daytime activities, social interaction and build upon people’s skills and strengths.

Eligible residents (people known and supported by Waltham Forest social care services) with learning disabilities, and those with learning disabilities and autism access the services.

The day opportunities service activities include group activities such as music and movement, keep fit, art and gardening and some 1 to 1 activities. Staff also provide support with personal care needs where agreed, and support with eating and drinking and communication needs.

During the consultation period there will be no changes to the Markhouse Centre. A final Cabinet decision on the future of the Centre will be sought in November 2024 and we will inform service users and families of the decision taken and the next steps which will depend on what decision is taken.

Our review of the wider day opportunities market has indicated that there are several day opportunities providers and community activities available across Waltham Forest and in its neighbouring boroughs. Should a decision be made to close the Markhouse Centre the Council would work with services users and their families/carers to review their needs and to identify alternative appropriate support. 

Alternative support options would be explored as part of a social care needs review process. If a decision is taken to close the centre, the Council will ensure that eligible residents have access to appropriate and personalised support that meet their needs and preferences.

If it was decided that the Markhouse Centre is to close we would work closely with service users and their families to develop individual and personalised transition plans and have support in place to assist individuals and families to navigate the changes in provision, ensuring continuity of support.

If it was decided that the Markhouse Centre is to close, the Council would explore options aligned to Mission Waltham Forest, www.walthamforest.gov.uk/media/7911 which is made up of six borough ‘missions’, aiming to tackle the issues and challenges that residents are facing between now and 2030.

During the consultation period we will actively consider and address any concerns and feedback from people through open and regular communication in person or via the dedicated email address MarkhouseCentreConsultation@walthamforest.gov.uk

The Council is very conscious of the relationships that residents that attend the Centre have developed over time and recognise that building social connections is an important part of day opportunities provision.  If any decision is taken to close the Centre, the Council will work with families to get an understanding of where critical friendships exist as part of social care reassessments and will look at the opportunities available for them to spend time with their existing friends. This will include considering whether it is possible for them to transition with friends. Each individual’s needs will be assessed separately to consider what provision is most appropriate for them.

Residents that attend the centre, and their parents and carers can arrange to visit alternative providers at any time to consider the provisions, what they offer and how appropriate they may be in meeting the person’s needs.  

For any change of provision to go ahead, the resident and parents/carers need to work with their social worker to ensure that the alternative meets their needs and to make arrangements for start dates.

There are currently no plans for the building at this stage of the consultation. If the building were to close any decisions about its future would be decided by the Councils Strategic Assets Board.

Transport assistance is arranged on an individual basis and depends on a several factors including the level of care required, an individual’s independence and amount of family support that is available. For more information, please follow this link to view our Travel assistance policy.

All adults attending Markhouse will be allocated to an assigned social worker from the Learning Disability or the SEND team. The adults and families can contact the allocated SW directly at. Learning disability team on Tel: 0208 928 8300 or email through to the LD duty team at  LDduty@walthamforest.gov.uk and ask for the duty social worker or manager to discuss the review.