A right to independence
The following is reproduced by permission from Viewpoint - the learning disability magazine published by Mencap
Control and choice are the main themes of Independence, well-being and choice, the Government’s green paper setting out a new vision for the future of adult social care
The Government’s driver for changing the way social care is delivered is the principle 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”. The green paper sets out a programme of reform for the next 10 to 15 years in order to address the growing demands being placed on social care, changes to the population and the way we live – people are living longer but are less able to rely on family support in the way they used to. The number of adults with a learning disability is expected to increase by 14% to over 900,000 by 2021 and the number of people with severe learning disabilities could increase by 1% each year over the next 15 years.
In April 2004 the Government announced that it would develop a new vision and then set out to consult with key stakeholders, including people who use social care services. Leonard Cheshire, Age Concern, Scope, Values into Action and Mencap were among those organisations contributing.
The main proposals set out in the consultation paper, which has been broadly
welcomed by most, include:
wider use of direct payments and individual budgets to enable people to take
control of the services they receive and maintain their independence
a greater focus on early intervention
a stronger and more strategic leader-ship role for local government and the new
director of adult social services (DASS) working in partner-ship with the NHS,
other agencies and the voluntary sector
supporting people to play a full part in society and improving access to
universal public services
improving the skills and status of social care staff and providing greater
support for family carers
making better use of technology to support people and providing a wide range of
supported housing options
striking the right balance between protecting individuals and enabling them to
manage their own risks
merging the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and the Healthcare
Commission by 2008 to reflect the increasing joint work between adult social
care and health.
At the centre of the new plans is the move to individual budgets to give people more financial control over the services they receive. Mencap’s pilot project for people with a learning disability, In Control, has been given as an example of how individual budgets can give people more control and freedom over their own lives. The paper proposes extending the benefits of direct payments to people who lack capacity by using agents.
Measurable outcomes such as imp-roved health and freedom from discrimination and harassment have been set out which form the basis of the framework.
The green paper says that the costs of implementing the changes being proposed will need to be met from existing funds and will be cost neutral for local authorities.
FUTHER INFO
The Government is inviting new ideas and views on the green paper and would also like to hear comments about the proposed role of the director of adult social services and the name change of direct payments. You can also fill in an online questionnaire. Easy read and other formats are available. Go to: www.dh.gov.uk/socialcare Responses need to be sent in by 28 July 2005
KEY POINTS
The Government has produced plans to change social care services over the next 10 to 15 years.
It says people should have more independence, choice and control over the way they get services. Direct payments and individual budgets should help with this.
Keith Smith, chief executive, BILD
"The vision and values contained in the green paper are very positive and based on what has started to happen for people with learning disabilities and their carers. Person centred approaches, individual budgets and the extension of direct payments will give greater control and allow people to have the right support when they need it.
"I am pleased that early support for people with "lower level needs" is recommended. Too many people have been falling through the net as a result of strict eligibility criteria.
"However, the green paper will only become a reality with the recruitment and retention of staff with the right values and commitment. Support is only as good as the person delivering it, and we need to ensure that staff are themselves treated in person centred ways. Key to this is the support and training that staff receive, not just during induction but throughout their career."
Back to index of BILD Responses
Page ref: '05policyandresearch_responses_independence' Owned by: enquiries@bild.org.uk
Last updated: 06/05/2010