NDTi seeks evidence for review of advocacy services
The NDTi ( National Development Team for inclusion) has been granted funding from the National Institute for Health Research’s School of Social Care Research (SSCR) to gather and review the evidence available on the impact of different types of advocacy for people who need support. The review is being carried out to achieve 3 main […]
The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities (CIPOLD)
March 2013: The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities (CIPOLD). The Norah Fry Research Centre based at the University of Bristol has now published its Final Report, which should be of interest especially to the parents and carers of persons with learning disabilities. The full report is available as a PDF […]
Disability Minsister McVey speaks on DLA to PIP transition timetable
During a parliamentary exchange in the Commons on 18th March 2013, Minister Esther McVey offered a succinct update on the timetable for the transition from DLA to PIP. Please note especially her statement ‘Most claimants will not be invited to claim personal independence payment until October 2015 onwards’. The ‘Reassessments and Impacts briefing note’ to […]
An invitation to family carers to take part in an important new research study…
The latest newsletter of the National Family Carer Network (NFCN) contains an appeal for family carers to contribute to research into the experiences of people with learning disabilities seeking advice about the law. Since access to legal services is a recurrent issue in calls to our helpline, and bearing in mind the changes to legal […]
Direct payments for healthcare: public consultation opens – have your say.
The DoH website has just announced the publication of the Spring 2013 edition of ‘Update’, its personal health budgets information sheet. The lead story is a consultation on direct payments for healthcare (to run from 1st March to April 26th): A public consultation on changes to the regulations for direct payments for healthcare is published […]
Available soon: a comprehensive guide to welfare reform and the introduction of PIP
One of the most complex topics to understand (or to advise on) is ‘benefits and allowances’. April 2013 sees what many commentators describe as ‘the biggest changes to the benefit system since the introduction of the welfare state’. These will affect over 2 million disabled people, including the learning disabled. disability living allowance will be […]
Children and Families Bill: Experts give evidence to Commons committee
Following its second reading in the Commons, the Children and Families Bill has entered the committee stage. This bill when enacted will have implications for children and adults with learning disabilities, and their families e.g. with its aspiration to introduce a single learning disabilty assessment to coordinate and improve the delivery of health care, social […]
Created by Parents
Taking this opportunity to recommend the excellent website Created By Parents. This comprises blog content, and also some excellent resources on autism and learning disability, in particular on residential education and care provision. Follow the links in the ‘Spotlight On’ and the ‘Useful Links’ sections
‘April Fools Day’: Legal Aid changes (cuts) imminent.
On 1st April 2013, huge changes to the legal aid system will occur as the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) comes into effect. At the administrative level, under LASPO, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) will be abolished and replaced by the Legal Aid Agency, which will be an Executive Agency […]
Why carers need a break. Jo Whiley writes in Guardian Soiciety
Wednesday 13 February 2013, Guardian Society published an article by the broadcaster Jo Whiley arguing for improved provision of short breaks for family carers, Jo cited on the experiences of her family in caring for her own sister. “It’s no surprise then that eight in 10 family carers who, like my parents, care for loved […]