THE pioneers behind a new private day centre have vowed to improve the support to adults with special needs.

Mandy Davy and Sandra Luckhurst left Norfolk County Council to launch Iceni Care Limited in Great Yarmouth - a service which provides a safe haven to adults with learning difficulties.

It is a move backed by the council who have encouraged some staff to set-up private services as part of a shake-up in the number of provisions it will offer in future.

The new venture, on Queens Road, Yarmouth, has space for 20 adults and holds an activities room, a personal care area with a hoist and changing bed, a kitchen, a quiet room, an IT room, a hobbies room, and an art craft and drama room.

It will also be a base for a community support team, which will work with adults who need help living independently.

Mrs Davy, 49, of St Andrews Road, Gorleston, said: “When the county council began the big consultation last year it was suggested that some of the staff should think about becoming service providers.

“We both felt that providing a service ourselves was something we were keen to do.

“It is about supporting people to be as independent as they can in a safe and happy environment.”

The pair have 20 years of experience working with adults with learning disabilities and previously worked for the county council as team leaders in the Community Services Learning Disabilities Support Team.

Mrs Davy hoped opening a new private care home would help drive-up standards because people will now be able to go elsewhere if they do not get the service they want.

She added: “There is an open environment when it comes to social care now, so there are going to be able to make choices about what they want to buy.

“The more choice for people, the more likely they are going to be able to get the service they want.”

The day centre will offer a social club on a Tuesday evening in an association with About with Friends in North Norfolk. Iceni Care Limited opened on November 25.