Introduction to BILD
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities is working to improve the lives of people in the UK with a learning disability.
Welcome
About BILD
About BILD, easy read
BILD's purpose, values and priorities
'Welcome to BILD' leaflet
Welcome to BILD
Than you for taking the time to find out about the British Institute of
Learning Disabilities.
BILD’s work has never been more needed than it is now. As the Joint
Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights made clear, the human rights of people
with learning disabilities are violated every day.
As well, recent investigations such as the Health Service Ombudsman’s ‘Six
Lives’ report into the deaths of people with learning disabilities receiving
treatment in hospital, have exposed neglect, abuse, discrimination and
indifference. That is why BILD has decided that a human rights framework is
central to our future work.
BILD believes that listening to the views and experiences of people with
learning disabilities and their family carers is central to developing effective
services.
While we do this in our work in developing effective policy and practice, as
well using our conferences, events and publications to spread good advice and
demonstrate the benefits of best practice, we also work hard to ensure we have
an effective and informed membership to help spread the word as well.
If you would like to become a BILD member call 01562 723 010 or
visit our website's membership
section. I look forward to hearing from you.
Keith Smith
Chief Executive
About BILD
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) is a national charity
committed to improving the quality of life for the 1.2 million people in the UK
with a learning disability.
We do this by influencing policy-makers and
other decision-makers, encouraging good practice among practitioners and helping
people with a learning disability take charge of their own lives and become part
of an inclusive society.
We work with government agencies and other organisations to help shape UK policy and strategic thinking, contributing to a shared vision of better services. We also carry out research on topics of national interest and publish our findings through conferences and workshops, publications and policy development.
We encourage the development of advocacy for people with learning disabilities by supporting local advocacy groups and carrying out reviews and evaluations of advocacy provision.
We provide education and training for care staff and managers, professionals,
family carers and people with a learning disability. Many of our resources and
services are mapped to the Learning Disability Awards Framework (LDAF).
Our Quality Network helps commissioners and providers to measure outcomes – what life is really like for people who use services – and to use their findings to improve services. People with learning disabilities take part in assessing the services they use.
We publish books, training materials and journals to improve practice among professionals and to help adults and children with a learning disability achieve a better quality of life. We also offer information and resources on all aspects of learning disability policy and practice.
We also have an active membership scheme.
What BILD Does
Policy and research
We work with the government and other organisations to improve the lives of
people with learning disabilities. We also do research, such as how to
include people with learning disabilities in making decisions. We tell
other people about what we find.
Learning services
We train staff, family carers and people with a learning disability.
We
involve people with a learning disability in some of the training.
Publications
We publish books, journals and training materials.
Membership and information
Members of BILD get lots of benefits, including free copies of a BILD
journal.
BILD has information on learning disabilities for members.
Advocacy and user involvement
We work with advocacy groups and people with learning disabilities to help
them give their views on the services they receive.
BILD's Purpose, values and priorities
1. Our Purpose:
| l | Our Vision is a society where people with learning disabilities are equal citizens and have access to the support and services they need. |
| l | Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with a learning disability. |
| l | producing accessible information with people with learning disbilities involved as advisers |
| l |
We work in partnership with people with a learning disability and family carers and all of our stakeholders to make sure that good practice in delivering high quality person centred support is developed, shared and evaluated. |
2. Our Values:
| l | We believe that people with learning disabilities should be supported to live fulfilling lives as equal citizens who are involved and contribute to their communities. |
| l | We will ensure that we are involved in making the learning disability policy agendas of equal citizenships, rights, choice, inclusion and independence happen throughout Great Britain. |
| l | We will work in partnership with people with learning disabilities and family carers, recognising that they are the real experts and that their stories and life experiences should be central to developing and sharing good practice. |
| l | We will listen and identify how to provide quality person centred support focussing on those groups that have often been excluded including people with complex needs and from black and minority ethnic groups. |
| l | We will make sure that people with learning disabilities are kept safe from abuse and neglect and are able to be independent and make choices. |
| l | We believe that communication is a basic right and will work in ways that ensure that people’s means of communication are supported and valued. |
| l | We are committed to developing the values, knowledge, skills and competencies of all those who support people with a learning disability. |
| l | As an organisation, we will be person centred and value our staff so that they can value the people we serve. |
| l |
We are open to changing the way we work if this means that more people can have better lives through what we do. |
3. The Outcomes we want for People’s Lives:
- I make everyday choices.
- I make important decisions about my life.
- People treat me with respect.
- I take part in everyday activities.
- I have friendships and relationships.
- I am part of my local community.
- I get the chance to work.
- People listen to my family’s views.
- I am safe from bullying and abuse.
- I get help to stay healthy.
4. Our Priorities for the Future:
We have identified four priority areas where we can make a difference to people’s lives:
| 1. | Our Vision is a society where people with learning disabilities are equal citizens and have access to the support and services they need. |
| 2. | Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with a learning disability. |
| 3. | Producing accessible information with people with learning disabilities involved as advisers |
| 4. |
We work in partnership with people with a learning disability and family carers and all of our stakeholders to make sure that good practice in delivering high quality person centred support is developed, shared and evaluated. |
'Welcome to BILD'
We have an leaflet, 'Welcome to BILD' which gives an introduction to our work, you can download it as a .pdf document.
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Page ref: '02introduction' Owned by: enquiries@bild.org.uk Last updated: 20/06/2009