future

Policy Update

Introduction

One of the key objectives of changing futures is to design and develop models of individualised care and a support infrastructure to enable individuals and small organisations to make this a reality for all people who require some sort of social care support. One way of doing this is by setting up a Trade Association, as an umbrella organisation which can provide the necessary, legal, regulatory; financial, legal, and professional advise individuals and organisations need.

Background

'Independence, well-being and choice' - the Government's green paper was published in March 2005. It sets out a vision for adult social care over the next 10 - 15 years and its starting point is that everyone in society has a positive contribution to make to that society and that they should have a right to control their own lives. In July 2004 the PM, Tony Blair, set out his vision which demands that all public service providers seek to deliver personalised services that offer true choice, excellence and equality. He stated:

" We are proposing to put an entirely different dynamic in place to drive our public services:

one where the service will be driven not by the managers but by the user".

(The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon Tony Blair, MP, July 2004).

Personalised Budgets / individualised services / Individualised Care

This is not the first paper to attempt to put the service user in control - however, there is still a considerable way to go before the rhetoric becomes a reality. For example, direct payments give people the choice and control but take up has been disappointing. There are only 12,585 individuals in receipt of direct payments (provisional 2003 estimate). By contrast there 1.68 million people using community care services in 2002/03. The government wants to encourage more people to take up direct payments but at the minute the support infrastructure is not available. Approaches to planning for individuals has been developed over the past two decades, influenced by the Social Role Valorisation movement and the work of John O'Brien et al. Processes such as person centred planning are evident in every document and strategic plan in learning disability services, and the principles of PCP are now evident in other sectors, such as mental health. Every local health and social service department will have a local strategic plan to implement VP; and other government initiatives However, it is evident from the experiences of people with learning disabilities that despite good intentions there remains much to change if they are to have real influence and control over how their services are designed, planned and delivered.

Policy Position

Valuing People (2000) set out clear strategic objectives for the modernisation of learning disability services. The recent Green Paper, 'Independence, well-being and Choice', focuses on individual care budgets and points to the six 'In Control' pilots currently in place across the country as providing models to take this forward. There is little practical advice in the green paper and the In Control pilots are focusing on developing a individualised services model - what is needed is an infrastructure. Whilst the principles are welcome the green paper has been received with some scepticism. One commentator notes that it will take courage to get away from 'wraparound care provision' to promoting independence. This will apply to individuals, families, carers, professionals, and commissioners. At the moment the supporting infrastructure is not there and without this, such a step change is difficult.

Comments on the Green Paper can be fed-back directly to the policy makers via the Department of Health by July 2005

_____________________________________________

Research

What really matter for people with Learning Disabilities living in Northumberland?

The research was aimed at finding out the views of people with learning disabilities on matters that affect their lives. This was in response to Valuing People, which is the first government strategy for people with learning disabilities for 30 years. Based on principles of rights, choice and inclusion, the White Paper is designed to improve life chances for people with learning disabilities. The government also hopes that people with learning disabilities will be involved in the planning processes and will have opportunities to voice their views on what is important to them -

'Nothing about us without us'

(DOH, Valuing People 2001)

The research used a qualitative approach that concentrated on the process of research and social constructionist methods of inquiry. Some of the findings discussed raised complex issues concerning the relationship between non-disabled people and people with learning disabilities. Not least, the real difficulties in involving people with learning disabilities in planning structures that are set up and managed by non-disabled people.

The research concluded that by developing and sustaining dialogue on matters that are important for people with learning disabilities, and non-disabled people adopting a reflective approach to their own dialogue, joint work on planning and making decisions can become more meaningful for people with learning disabilities.

'I only do lots of courses'

'I want to be supported to travel on buses to visit friends'

'I want to move out of my parents home and have a place of my own'

In reaching this conclusion we recognsized that there remain complex questions around the relationships between disabled people and people with a learning disability.