carersUK has just launched its  ‘State of Caring Survey 2018‘ and is asking carers to contribute.

An equivalent survey in 2017 was judged a success, on the basis that it had a significant number of contributors (over 7000) ; that it received a lot of attention in the media; and that its results were frequently cited by politicians and decision-makers.

As caresUK states in the email recently sent seeking contributors…

What you tell us makes a difference

Last year over 7000 carers shared their experiences with us. What they told us last year made the front pages of newspapers, was quoted over and over again by politicians and policy makers. This helped us bring the voice of carers and experience of carers into discussions on a whole range of issues from reform of NHS Continuing Care funding to how the Government can better support people to return to work after they are no longer caring, making changes where carers need them.”

Obviously, a similar or higher number of contributors to this year’s survey is carersUK’s target. If you are a carer, especially a carer for someone with a learning disability, why not take the opportunity to contribute views based on your own experiences via this survey  ?

9th Feb 2018: Joint Committee on Human Rights  launches inquiry into DOLS reform

Rescare covered the issue of DOLS and the repercussions of the Cheshire West case in several articles in Resnews, our newsletter to members, in 2016 and 2017.  One of the repercussions of that case was that the Court of Protection became clogged with literally thousands of DOLS applications from local authorities, despite various attempts to develop a fast-tracking mechanism. The feeling of many was that the current situation re DOLS is unsustainable, not least the Law Commission, who in March 2017  called for DOLS to be replaced ‘as a matter of pressing urgency’. 

We are grateful to the 39 Essex Street chambers for alerting us to the following in its latest ‘Mental Capacity’ bulletin:

Whilst we await the Government’s response to the Law Commission’s Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights has launched an inquiry into ‘the right to freedom and safety: Reform of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.’ Continue reading →

On 9th June the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee announced the launch of an inquiry into the financial sustainability of local authority adult social care and the quality of care provided.

This inquiry will, in essence examine whether local authorities have enough money to meet their statutory duties under the Care Act. It is prompted by demands from non-governmental organisations such as the Centre for Welfare Reform, and by warnings from worried local authority representatives.
The Committee Chair Clive Betts MP explained: “Adult Social Care provides a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people in society but is coming under increasing pressure as a result of growing demand and declining local authority budgets. Our inquiry will look at the financial sustainability of this care and support to see what can be done to allow councils to continue to meet their legal obligations for future generations.” Continue reading →

We have been notified via emails and postings from Disability Rights UK and other charity groups that the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Disability is inviting written submissions, addressing some key questions and themes to inform its inquiry “How the Government can fulfil its pledge to halve the disability employment gap”.

The deadline for responses is Monday 4th July 2016.

Note:  this inquiry is by the APPG on Disability (there is a separate APPG on Learning Disability), but persons with a learning disability, their parents, family or carers, may have relevant experience of or opinions about employment.

Here are full details of the questions being asked, and the instructions for submitting a response: Continue reading →

The Department of Health has announced an important new consultation: How can we improve support for carers? Details here.

“We think that we need a new strategy for carers setting out how we can do more. One which reflects their lives now, the health and financial concerns they have, and gives them the support they need to live well whilst caring for a family member or friend. To help us develop the strategy, we want to hear from carers, those who have someone care for them, business, social workers, NHS staff and other professionals that support carers.”

The DoH is asking individuals and groups to respond to an online survey. It is also accepting written responses. Closing date is 30th June 2016.

Full details and documentation are available from the consultation web-page. Continue reading →

Continue reading →

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…

Continue reading →

Care Quality Commission consultation on future of health and adult social care regulation

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will soon be carrying out the final stage of consultation on its strategy for 2016-2021.

The strategy will set out our proposals for developing the way it works  to make sure it is flexible and responsive to the changing health and social care landscape, and continues to serve the interests of people who use those services. Continue reading →

Care Minister Norman Lamb has launched the “No voice unheard, no right ignored” programme to strengthen the rights of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions and ensure they get the best care possible. “no voice unheard, no right ignored” will ask for people’s views on a range of proposed measures, such as the right to challenge decisions about their care, the right to be treated close to their home and family and the right to design and control their care and support.

The consultation which will run for 12 weeks, aims to help people to live independently with greater input, more rights and more control over their own lives. Continue reading →

The following was received in an email from Disability Rights UK. If you feel you could help, please follow the contact guidance.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will be producing new guidelines for police in 2015 on how to handle discrimination complaints. The IPCC has asked Disability Rights UK to feed into this work by gathering some examples of disabled people’s experiences of discrimination involving the police.

We think that it is vitally important for the IPCC to hear real stories, directly from disabled people, about how they have been affected by discrimination or bad service from the police. So if you have an experience of poor treatment from the police, we want to hear from you. Continue reading →