Obtaining deputyship for Personal Welfare vs a camel passing through the eye of a needle
A belated update on this blogger’s Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), via the Ministry of Justice, for statistics on the granting of Deputyships for Property and Affairs and for Personal Welfare. After some correspondence between myself and the ‘Knowledge and Information Officer’ at the OPG, I asked […]
Short-term planning endemic in social care for adults with learning disabilities…
Short-term planning is endemic in social care for adults with learning disabilities and this is costing local authorities and the people themselves dear, a report has found. The study of senior local authority decision makers by learning disability charity FitzRoy found that 42% of local authorities plan social care for adults with learning disabilities by […]
Care homes failing to meet standards…but continuing to operate?
An exclusive article in the Daily Telegraph, 20th January 2014, presented analyses by journalists Ben Bryant, Holly Watt and Claire Newell – which suggest that a) one in three care homes fails its inspections and that b) some are allowed to continue operate despite repeated failings. The article is based on statistics made available by […]
Mental capacity and best interest assessments: a loss of trust?
The evidence sessions (oral and written) of the Lords Select Committee examining the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act are ongoing. Statements and transcripts of oral evidence are posted at regular intervals on the Committee’s website. But the sheer amount of material makes it difficult to digest. A Rescare member has brought one particular item […]
Further reflections on Winterbourne View one year on
On the same day (13th Dec 2013) that the Dept of Health published its official report ‘Winterbourne View: transforming care one year on’ there appeared an excellent article in the Daily Telegraph on the same subject, which initially escaped our attention. The article summarised the views of two individuals involved in bringing events to light […]
Residential Care in Intentional Village Communities: Template letter to Ministers
Resnews No.4 2013 was accompanied by the following ‘insert’: Letter to members Dec 2013 This read: December 2013 Dear Members, You may be aware that Residential Care in Intentional Village Communities is under extreme threat. We suggest that our members and other concerned individuals write a letter to or email their MPs and relevant Ministers […]
Criticism of DoH’s Progress Report ‘Winterbourne View: transforming care one year on’
On 13th December, the Department of Health published its review of progress in improving the quality of care for vulnerable people, following abuse of residents at Winterbourne View hospital. The report is entitled Winterbourne View: transforming care one year on and is available for reading/download from the DoH website. Reaction has been less than enthusiastic. […]
Hate Crime: Restorative Justice, Local ‘Safety’ Partnerships.
In 2013, a ‘local’ member of Rescare, a resident of Stockport, experienced serious problems with hate crime and anti-social behaviour directed at her adult, learning disabled, daughter. Dissatisfied with the initial response from the police, she pursued her case, writing directly to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, and contacting the media, which led to […]
What happens when people with learning disabilities need advice about the law? Research Project Report due soon…
Earlier this year, this Rescare blogger contributed some evidence (in a private capacity, as the parent of an autistic son) to the Norah Fry Research Centre at the University of Bristol. The Centre had been funded by the Legal Services Board to undertake a research project into ‘What happens when people with learning disabilities need […]
Commons Select Committee investigates DLA/PIP transition and “natural reassessment” timetable
The House of Commons Select Committee on Work and Pensions is currently in session. The sessions are televisised and can be viewed (live and on catch-up) via the Parliament TV service. They make surprisingly interesting viewing… Yesterday (Dec 9th) in a ‘lively session’ the Committee questioned Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP, Secretary of State […]