Devolution… in Greater Manchester (‘Devo Manc’).
“Devolution in Greater Manchester is giving us the power to take charge of health, wealth and wellbeing in our communities. Together, we can make a difference”. Those of us lucky enough to live in the North West of England have now received the following ‘open letter’ from the Greater Manchester’s Health and Social Care Partnership’s […]
Neurotribes – the evolution of our understanding of autism
I noticed from the review sections of some of this week’s Sunday newspapers that ‘Neurotribes’ by Steve Silberman is now available in paperback (£9.99, publisher Allen and Unwin). When first published in hardback in 2015, this book received several recommendations from reviewers who admitted to having been enlightened, informed and sometimes angered by the book. […]
Early Death in Autism. Autistica charity seeks support for further research
The author of this blog is the parent of a 31-year-old man on the autistic spectrum. So this story and issue is something ‘close to home’. There have been other articles and reports on autism (and learning disability) and early death, but the ‘newish’ charity Autistica (founded 2004 with the primary aim of supporting and […]
Autism Awareness: Failings in the Training of Social Workers
Fewer councils met recommended standards of autism training for social workers last year, an official report has found. The study by Public Health England asked local authorities to rate their progress in 2014-15 on 37 indicators of autism provision. The proportion of local authorities where at least 75% of staff carrying out statutory care assessments […]
The (ever) expanding role of the SCIE
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) describes itself thus: “A leading improvement support agency and an independent charity working with adults’, families’ and children’s care and support services across the UK. It raise its funds by bidding for work from government departments and organisations, and delivering commercial services including training, consultancy, research and evaluation”.
Housing and Support Alliance seeks family carers to complete survey on children and housing
The following is reproduced from the H&SA website, and is also in emails which H&SA has sent to possibly interested parties. The answers H&SA receives in these surveys will influence what is subsequently published in NHS-endorsed guides and videos. Please consider completing the online survey for families…
History of Legislation on Disability
Note: The following article is awaiting update on legislation enacted after 2012. For information on the most recently enacted legislation, i.e. The Children and Families Act 2014 and The Care Act 2014, please see the individual articles under the ‘Legislation & Policies’ menu, or follow the links at the end of this article.
House Of Lords Votes Against ESA Cuts
On Wednesday 27th January the House of Lords debated the Welfare and Work Bill during which they voted against government proposals to cut Employment Support Alowance (ESA) for new claimants. The cut of £30 per week would affect any sick or disabled person who is placed in the “Work Related Activity Group”, which includes people […]
SEND News: High Court Finds Warwickshire CC’s Local Offer Unlawful
In what may turn out to be a ‘landmark’ (or at very least a ‘significant’) ruling, on Feb 5th (2016) High Court has handed down Judgement in the first Judicial Review to consider local authorities’ duties to disabled children following the reforms brought in under the new Children and Families Act on 1 September 2014. […]
NHS England’s Learning Disability Engagement Team … building a bridge… improving the forum.
The NHS England’s Learning Disability Engagement Team was established, or possibly ‘re-envigorated’, during 2015. This followed the publication in early 2015 of the report ‘Transforming Care for People with Learning Disabilities – Next Steps’ . This document was produced jointly by NHS England, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the Care Quality […]