July 2012

Chancellor George Osborne's third Budget contained little goodnews for people with learning disabilities, and will haveheightened worries over benefits for many. First, the good news:the personal tax allowance limit has been raised to…
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Dan Parton writes (16th March 2011) : I know it is rapidly becoming a cliché, but these really areworrying times for social care.
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Time for some positive news from the learning disability sector: last week, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust announced that it has appointed a specialist nurse with the aim of providing a better patient experience for people with learning…
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So, 99% of the population can't name a high-profile person inthe media with a learning disability, according to an Ipsos MORI poll for Mencap - and I'm notsurprised. Think about it; apart from singer Susan Boyle, there arevery few people…
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Could Andrew Dilnot and his colleagues have completed mission impossible and found the key to making sustainable reforms to the adult social care system? On an initial look, the answer may well be "yes." The recommendations from the…
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Here's something that will make uncomfortable reading for thegovernment, yet will surprise few - if anyone - working in thelearning disability sector: financial pressures on local authoritybudgets and an alarming shortage of suitable social…
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Ever since the government unveiled its plans for sweeping reform of the welfare system, there has been one area that hasreceived constant opposition; proposed reforms to disability living allowance (DLA). Throughout the consultation period…
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The government has been trumpeting its figures on employment and support allowance which, they say, show that 75% of new applicants are found fit for work or abandon their claim before completing the medical assessment.Leaving aside the…
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It seems that most people with learning disabilities and those who work with them are agreed that change is needed in the sector to ensure another scandal like Winterbourne View doesn’t happen again. But making those changes is easier said…
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It's all happening on the autism front - but what does the frenetic activity amount to for people with autistic spectrum conditions? Bob Hudson offers an 'everything you need to know' guide...
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