NHS Staff Autism Training Becomes Law

Measures to ensure all NHS staff receive training in learning disabilities and autism now have the full force of the law behind them. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism programme has received royal assent. It has now passed into law as part of the new Health and Care Act 2022. Oliver […]

The Story of Stanley Grange and what happens when parents are no longer around

On the 10th May an inspiring online event took place hosted by our long standing member Maurice Collins of Learning Disability Trust and Kith and Kids. David Wilks shared The story of ‘Stanley Grange’ An Intentional Community of 40 residents with a learning disability where the charity that owned and ran the Village threatened closure […]

Unpaid Carers Get A Break

Unpaid carers benefit from donated hotel stays, offering them respite from caring duties An estimated 8.8 million unpaid carers in the UK provide 80% of home care. Rarely are they recognised for their frontline role and they lack access to the same support as NHS staff or paid care home workers. Until now, access to carer breaks has been […]

Lateral flow tests could cost care home visitors £73 a month

Lateral flow tests could cost care home visitors £73 a month, a leading UK charity has said, as it renewed calls to keep the devices free in such settings. The government has previously announced that free testing for the general public will end from 1 April, and that this will include care home visitors. However, charities […]

Living with Covid

Living with Covid-19 updates On Monday in the House of the Commons, the Prime Minister outlined the content of the Government’s publication ‘Living with COVID’.​​​ The key messages include: Ending legal requirements for twice a week testing in schools. Ending of legal requirement to self isolate following a positive test result from 24 February 2022.  Ending of […]

We Pay a fortune to harm people , says MP

Hundreds of millions are spent on services that harm people with autism and learning disabilities. That’s the view of Sir Robert Buckland, Member of Parliament for South Swindon and an autism father. Buckland’s adult daughter is autistic. He told the House of Commons on Thursday (20 January) that mental health hospitals are failing people with […]

Government ‘consultation’ on disability strategy unlawful, High Court rules

A survey of disabled people, used to inform the highly anticipated National Disability Strategy, has been ruled “unlawful” by the High Court. The UK Disability Survey gained 14,000 responses but was found to have failed to consult with people effectively. The case was brought by four disabled people, who said they were “very pleased” with […]