If you have a learning disability and live in Sandwell, support can come from a mixture of adult social care, day opportunities, direct payments, travel and community-based activity. The right route depends on whether you mainly need information, a care assessment, structured daytime support, or help to build independence in everyday life.
Who this page is for
This guide is for adults with a learning disability, and for relatives, carers and professionals who are helping somebody in Sandwell to get the right support.
It is useful if you are asking for help for the first time or if you already have support but want to know more about personal budgets, day opportunities or community-based activity.
The main Sandwell route into support
Sandwell Council’s learning disability page points people first to Adult Social Care. The local contact route is Sandwell Enquiry on 0121 569 2266 or sandwell_enquiry@sandwell.gov.uk.
The council says support can include care and support assessments, direct payments and personal budgets, support to do things in the daytime, and help with transport and travel confidence.
What an assessment can lead to
A care and support assessment looks at what is difficult, what matters to you, what support is already in place, and what outcomes you want. Depending on the result, Sandwell may offer advice only, connect you to community resources, or agree a support plan and personal budget.
- Advice and information only if formal social care is not needed
- A care and support plan if you meet the Care Act criteria
- A personal budget or direct payments so support can be arranged more flexibly
- Referrals to day opportunities, supported living or specialist community services
Sandwell day opportunities and community-based activity
Sandwell’s Disability Day Opportunities service is a particularly important local route for adults with learning disabilities and, in some services, autistic adults with additional needs. The council describes this as strength-based support that helps people access community and social activities.
The council’s published information highlights several local options:
- Portway and the Allotment Project at Portway Lifestyle Centre, with sports, gardening, sensory sessions, walks and one-to-one gym activity
- Stoney Lane Centre in West Bromwich, for adults with multiple learning disabilities, offering person-centred activities, sensory work, practical support and access to health professionals
- Outreach and virtual activity offers for people who need support in different ways
The day opportunities information says referrals can come through social services or through direct payments, which gives some flexibility depending on how your support is funded.
Local details that make this route specific to Sandwell
- Stoney Lane Centre, Summer Street, West Bromwich, B71 4JA
- Day Opportunities contact number: 0121 569 4467
- Sandwell Enquiry: 0121 569 2266
- Day opportunities are described by the council as available across the borough and through both community and building-based activity
Useful Sandwell links
- Learning disabilities
- Day services and day opportunities
- Disability Day Opportunities overview
- Services for people with learning disabilities and autism
- Stoney Lane
- Contact Adult Social Care
