Derrick Pearce - Chief Officer East Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership
Publication:
This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.
The purpose of this Technical Note is to advise Elected Members of the pending relocation of Sense Scotland’s TouchBase Dunbartonshire service which is currently located in Bishopbriggs. TouchBase Dunbartonshire provides adult day care and community based out-reach support services to people with a learning disability living in East Dunbartonshire and surrounding areas
Like many other social care providers, Sense Scotland is operating in a challenging financial environment. Ongoing funding issues across the social care sector, compounded by the recent increase in Employers’ National Insurance contributions, necessitated the need to identify substantial savings to ensure and protect the organisation's longer-term sustainability
Sense Scotland currently rents TouchBase Dunbartonshire premises from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). The lease agreement with RNIB ends in January 2026 but has been extended to March 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. Due to the financial pressures set out, purchasing or continuing to rent the premises and absorb increasing building / maintenance costs is simply no longer a viable option for the organisation. Subsequently, Sense Scotland’s Board of Trustees made the difficult decision not to renew the lease and seek alternative arrangements
Importantly, the service provided at TouchBase Dunbartonshire will continue to operate – albeit from Sense Scotland’s Head Office in Glasgow. The name of the service will change to TouchBase Glasgow. Touchbase Dunbartonshire will cease on 31st March 2026
Sense Scotland is focussed on ensuring a smooth transfer for the people they currently support, their carers, families and staff over the next few months. To help inform and support the process, Sense Scotland held a drop-in event in October to explain the reasons behind the move and to offer re-assurance in terms of service continuity. Subsequently, carers and families arranged a follow up meeting with MP’s, Councillors, Senior Management from Sense Scotland and RNIB with a view to securing a U-turn on Sense Scotland’s decision. The meeting is due to take place at TouchBase Dunbartonshire on Tuesday 11th November, 6pm
Five local people currently attend the service - the HSCP is actively supporting each individual through this process. Existing transport arrangements will continue following the relocation or if preferred / required alternative transport and service arrangements will be pursued with each individual, their carer and families
Updates will be provided as and when any further relevant information becomes available.
