government policy

Cross-sector concerns have repeatedly been raised about the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill since proposals were introduced last summer. The Bill, which campaigners fear will dilute existing human rights safeguards and give undue power and responsibility to organisations supporting older and disabled people.

Darren Devine discusses the widespread nature of the use of restraint and seclusion in schools for learning disabled children, and speaks to those campaigning to change this. 

The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) which represents charities providing services for disabled people has issued the warning ahead of the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill reaching the House of Commons committee stage on 22 January.

The Care Quality Commission has pledged to review restrictive interventions (restraint, prolonged seclusion, and segregation) in a variety of settings.

In order to protect vulnerable people, the Government has brought forward a Bill that proposes amendments to the Mental Capacity Bill. 

"I find myself hoping that she passes away before me," one carer tells Sense, as charity publishes distressing survey results.

 In this short and simple blog, Simon Cramp argues that thebudget once again shows that people with a learning disability get promises ornothing from government funding.

Urgent action is needed to stop children and young people with challenging behaviour and complex mental health needs from being institutionalised at an early age with low ambitions for improving their lives, a review has said.

Significant concerns have been raised about the quality of investigations into deaths of patients with learning disabilities or mental ill health by the NHS, which could mean opportunities to improve care are being missed, according to a report.

The government will reduce the disability employment gap by just 2.6% by 2020 on current rates of progress – and will not make its manifesto commitment to halve it until 2065 unless action is taken, a report by a Parliamentary group has said.