NICE publishes guidelines on people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour
On 28th March, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) published new guidelines with the self-explanatory title “Learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges: service design and delivery“ The accompanying press release read: “Care for people with learning disabilities should be close to home wherever possible… NICE is urging councils and health bodies to make sure […]
Research suggests funding panels are used beyond their intended purpose
Our collective thanks are I think due to Rachel Carter and the investigative team at the magazine/website Community Care who have published a significant report under the headline “Social workers voice concerns over the influence of funding panels in adults’ services” The sub-header continues “Research by Community Care suggests funding panels are used beyond their […]
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, […]
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 […]
Care Act Guidance updated 17.08.2017
A few days ago we received by email the following bullet/invitation from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) : From SCIE: Learning from safeguarding adults reviews Events in Birmingham on 14 September and London on 20 September Webinar online on 26 September The Department of Health has commissioned SCIE and RIPfA to […]
Oxford’s ambitions to improve reputation for autism research.
An interesting article in the latest edition of Oxford Today on the ambitions of one academic to improve the university’s reputation for research into autism. The interview with Professor Geoff Bird, Tutorial Fellow in Psychology at Brasenose College, is well worth reading, especially his thoughts on empathy, lack of empathy, and alexithymia. Alexithymia. No, I […]
Get a Haircut!
Currently lost in admiration for Welsh hairdresser James Williams …who has founded ABA (the Autism Barbers Assemble!). “Sitting in a hairdresser’s chair may sound simple, but for a child with autism having a haircut can be painful. One barber has developed a unique technique where he will cut a child’s hair during long periods while […]
Introducing the Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP)
The project that was Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) is no more. A new coalition of 45 organisations has formed the Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP); many any other charities and organisations are pledging support. It has been impossible to ignore the flurry of related emails on this topic! The DCP has kicked off with […]