Death of autism campaigner Suzanne Wright
An obituary in The Independent in early August alerted us to the news of the death on 29th July 2016 of Suzanne Wright. Suzanne was the autism campaigner who, with her husband Bob, set up the US-based charity Autism Speaks, which is now described as ‘the world’s largest autism fundraising charity’. In 2006 the charity […]
Centre for Social Justice Report on Housing Provision for Adults with Learning Disabilities
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) was established as an independent think-tank in 2004. It was founded by the Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP (‘IDS’) in reaction to his investigation of poverty and social deprivation. CSJ is thus concerned particularly with social breakdown, its causes, and its prevention and alleviation. Whilst described by some […]
Parliamentary Committee launches Inquiry into funding and quality of Adult Social Care
On 9th June the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee announced the launch of an inquiry into the financial sustainability of local authority adult social care and the quality of care provided. This inquiry will, in essence examine whether local authorities have enough money to meet their statutory duties under the Care Act. It is […]
Learning Disability and Human Rights
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has just (June 2016) published a number of new resources aimed at “putting human rights at the heart of health and social care”. The EHRC states that these resources are “aimed at nurses, midwives, residential care staff and those working with people who have learning difficulties”.
All Party Parliamentary Group for Disability seeks responses to inquiry into ‘the disability employment gap’
We have been notified via emails and postings from Disability Rights UK and other charity groups that the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Disability is inviting written submissions, addressing some key questions and themes to inform its inquiry “How the Government can fulfil its pledge to halve the disability employment gap”. The deadline for […]
The Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 became law on 9 May 2016
Further to a recent posting on the enactment of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (ADMC Act) in the Republic of Ireland, we should now point out that on 25th May, the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Robin Newton , announced: “I wish to inform the Assembly that the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) […]
Statistics on patients in an inpatient setting with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and/or behaviour that challenges
A recent parliamentary Q&A exchange emphasises the (lack of) progress regarding inpatients, and suggests how obdurate this ‘problem’ is, despite repeatedly stated ambitions to reduce the numbers. Department of Health Long Stay Patients: Learning Disability Q Asked by Luciana Berger, Shadow Minister (Mental Health) “To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he […]
New DWP factsheet: “Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment – the main differences”
The following is taken from the latest edition Touchbase , the Department for Work and Pension’s online newsletter (Edition 111, received 26th May). This news item should be read in conjunction with a recent posting on Rescare’s website on the DLA to PIP conversion timetable. The relevant section of the newsletter ran as follows: “Differences […]
Work Capability Assessments (WCAs), and Questions for DWP.
The writer of this blog recently had to complete Work Capability Assessment (WCA) questionnaire (Ref. ESA50) on behalf of his autistic and learning-disabled son. Quite a task – a 20-page form to be completed to a deadline set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). At least it can, in part, be viewed as […]
Department of Health Consultation and Survey on Support for Carers. Have your say now…
The Department of Health has announced an important new consultation: How can we improve support for carers? Details here. “We think that we need a new strategy for carers setting out how we can do more. One which reflects their lives now, the health and financial concerns they have, and gives them the support they need […]