Green Paper Is On Its Way

The Green Paper on the reform of adult care and support in England will now be published in early July.

Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham confirmed the launch timing while answering questions in the House of Commons last Tuesday.   

“In early July we will publish a Green Paper setting out options to reform the care and support system,” he said.

Speaking shortly afterwards, Care Service Minister Phil Hope explained some of the aims of the publication.

“It will be radical, and it will spell out what we will do in future to ensure that people get high-quality care, and that they have choice and control over that care. We will make sure that the system is fair, transparent, simple and affordable for all. Those things are matters of principle for us.”

After the paper has been published the Government will conduct a 16 week consultation period, asking the public and stakeholders which reform options they  favour. The engagement will include discussion events, a leaflet campaign and various online activity. Up to date information will be available on the Care and Support website.

If You Employ A PA, This is for You!

SCIL are holding an exciting workshop on Tuesday 14th July between 10am and 1pm which would benefit you with understanding PA employment and it is free to all SCIL Members and Disabled People on the ILSS register.

The workshop morning is an exciting way to open your mind to various employment issues and to raise the issues that Disabled People encounter everyday and enabling you to reach your maximum potential as a Personal Assistant employer.  You will also have the chance to meet various support workers at SCIL.

On the same day, Personal Assistants on the ILSS register have been invited to a Disability Equality Training session. Personal Assistants have been strongly advised to attend DET Training as part of their development as a Personal Assistant. 

If you employ a Personal Assistant from the ILSS register, you should be aware that your Personal Assistant may also be attending on the same date as yourself.  It is worth noting that the Personal Assistants will be in a separate room.

As this is a fantastic opportunity not to be missed, so complete the booking form below:

PA Employers Workshop

Or contact Michael on 023 8020 2636 or email Michael@southamptoncil.co.uk

Consultation on the Right to Control

The Office of Disability Issues has just launched a consultation to ask Disabled People how to make choice and control a reality in their lives.

The consultation, launched on 11 June, invites stakeholders to give their views on the best way to deliver the Right to Control.

The ODI encourages responses from Disabled People, their organisations, public bodies, commissioners and service providers.

The consultation runs from 11 June – 30 September 2009.

• Consultation on Right to Control (PDF, 78 pages, 3.71 MB)

• Consultation on Right to Control – Easy Read (PDF, 92 pages, 2.12 MB)

To request a copy of the consultation in Braille, audio CD or BSL DVD email right.control@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 020 7449 5093.

What is the right to control?

The Right to Control is about shifting the balance of power from the state to the individual and recognising that disabled people are the experts in their own lives.

Why is the right needed?

At the moment, many Disabled People do not have the sort of choice and control over their lives that Non-Disabled people take for granted. The Government is therefore committed to providing greater choice and control over the support they receive from the State.

How will the right be introduced?

From 2010, we will test how the Right to Control will work. We will do this by trying out the Right to Control for Disabled Adults in a number of local authority areas in England. These will be called trailblazer sites.

How does the right fit with the Welfare Reform Bill?

The Welfare Reform Bill currently before Parliament enables the Secretary of State to make regulations to give Disabled People greater choice and control over support provided by the state. The Right to Control is part 2 of the Bill.

The Bill has completed its passage through the House of Commons. There was strong support across the House, with members on both sides warmly welcoming the increased choice and control this policy will deliver. As of June 2009, the Bill is before the House of Lords.

The Hansard page on the Welfare Reform Bill can be found on the Parliament website and includes the full text of the Bill, explanatory notes and reports from the debates.

 

SCIL’s History Project

Direct Newsletters for 2009

At the end of 2008, HCIL asked SCIL whether we would be happy to put the ‘Direct’ newsletters on the blog following Hampshire County Council’s decision to no longer host it on their website.

Unfortunately due to time constraints, we fell behind with uploading them so finally below you will find the 2009 editions for you to download and peruse at your leisure.

Direct 179 Jnuary 2009

Direct 180 March 2009

Direct 181 April 2009

Direct 182 May 2009

Direct 183 June 2009

Annual Questionairre Summary 2009

Equality 2025 – Taking Your Views on Disability Equality to the Government

Equality 2025, in partnership with Southampton Centre for Independent Living, is holding a regional engagement event for Disabled People living in the South East of England on Thursday 09 July 2009 and we would like to hear your views.

Equality 2025 is an advisory body set up to advise the Westminster Government on issues affecting the everyday lives of Disabled People across the United Kingdom. For more information about Equality 2025, please find below our Key Messages leaflet.

EQ2025 meeting July – Key Messages Leaflet

At the event we are proposing to discuss topics like our right to control independent living support and Disabled People’s networks. We also want to know what issues you think the Government should be aware of.

Places at the event are limited. We want to talk to as many Disabled People as possible, from every part of the United Kingdom. To try and make sure there is a diverse group of people attending the event, we will give priority to people who have not been to a similar event before. If you are successful, confirmation of your place will be sent out during week commencing 22nd June 2009.

There is no fee to attend and we can help with reasonable travel costs if you could otherwise not afford to come (including overnight stays where this is essential). If you are intending to apply for financial assistance, please indicate on your application form so that we can consider your request.

If you are interested in attending the event please fill in the application form by clicking the link below:

EQ2025 meeting July – Application form

We will be in touch again shortly, to let you know if we can offer you a place at the event. If you have any queries in the meantime or need help to fill in the accompanying application form please contact Ian Loynes at Southampton Centre for Independent Living, email ian@southamptoncil.co.uk, tel. 02380 330982.