Change at Scope prompts angry assessment of prospects for social care in 2018
In Sept 2017, Rescare published the Autumn edition of Resnews, its quarterly newsletter (free to Rescare members!). Page 2 featured an article entitled ‘All Change at Scope’, highlighting Scope’s plans to sell all its residential homes and special schools and re-position itself as a ‘social change organisation’. Mark Atkinson, Scope’s CEO, has stated “We will move […]
Learning Disability and (non Brexit!) Parliamentary Business
I’ve been a bit busy recently, but not too busy to note a significant post-Christmas rise in the number of emailed alerts I am receiving from the online parliamentary monitoring service ‘They Work For You’. I have configured my user profile so that an alert […]
Autism, Asperger’s, employment and ‘over diagnosis’
Reflections on Lauri Love case prompt furious debate. Recent statements from Dr Mike Shooter. It is unfortunate that to read The Times online, one needs to take out s subscription. This means that many will be unaware of, and unable to access, the articles and correspondence on the subject of autism and more specifically Asperger syndrome, […]
Minister of State for Adult Social Care appointed
Appointment of new minister reflects (hopefully) government’s higher priority for adult social care. From Community Care Jan 23rd 2018 Caroline Dinenage will be the minister of state overseeing adult social care, the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed. The decision to give the remit to Dinenage marks an elevation in the importance of […]
Councils consult on financing of non-residential care services
Seeking clarification on ‘a default disability expenditure allowance’. I was alerted by a Rescare member to the recently launched Contributions Policy Consultation by Oxfordshire County Council, which “seeks views on proposals that change the way Oxfordshire County Council charges for adult social care services. These services support adults living at home (for example, home care, day care […]
Landmark High Court ruling on PIP
PIP: On 21st December 2017 Justice Mostyn delivered his judgement in the High Court in the case of RF v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. The individual (RF) was a client of the charity Public Law Project, and was supported by the mental health charity MIND and the Equality and Human Rights Commission […]
MPs ‘consider supporting and safeguarding adults with learning disabilities’
On 17th October, in a Westminster Hall, Catherine McKinnell, Labour MP for Newcastle North, introduced a debate amongst MPs with the following words: “I beg to move that this House has considered supporting and safeguarding adults with learning disabilities”. In doing so, she was again highlighting the truly shocking murder of Lee Irving and speaking for Lee’s […]
Reminder to Members – AGM (6th October 2017)
Just a quick reminder to Rescare members… Rescare AGM is on 6th October 2017 at the Friends Meeting House, Stockport Location details: www.stockportmeetinghouse.org.uk/location/ Members should have already received their invitation in the post a few weeks ago. If you now decide to attend, please notify us by phone or email.
Video from Camphill Research Symposium 2017
The Camphill Foundation is a US-based organisation with a primary focus on North America. Under its aegis,an event entitled ‘The Camphill Research Symposium 2017’ took place in July in Hudson, New York State. Obviously much of the agenda was not immediately relevant to the UK. One session however which may be of interest comprised a […]
West Sussex Care Homes under Investigation by Police and CQC
Some disturbing news from Sussex, reported by BBC local news: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-40991641 “Police inquiries and unannounced inspections have been carried out at disability care homes in West Sussex. They were in response to “significant safeguarding concerns” after a number of reported deaths. The Care Quality Commission was alerted to Sussex Health Care services by West Sussex […]