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The legal framework of personalisation
- Author:
- SCHWEHR Belinda
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 24(1), Autumn 2010, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
Both central and local government has, in recent years, done much to transform adult social care in England. These improvements include personalisation, common resource allocation, ordinary residence, direct payments, mental capacity and access to care. The subject of resource allocation has, in particular, occupied the courts. This article, using recent case history, examines the legal principles of assessment and support planning. It discusses wants verses needs, before highlighting what a client can buy with respect to care services. It explores the decision making process in practice and principle, and notes that decision makers must address any human rights affected by those decisions. In ending, the article outlines the duty to give reasons for all decisions by local authorities.
Managing change: how we can help service user trustees to cope
- Author:
- HAMMOND Tracy
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 24(1), Autumn 2010, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
Recently, the charity KeyRing underwent a restructure that saw a period of significant change for the organisation. As many organisations they have recently involved service users on their board of trustees. The author shares some of her own organisation's lessons from this time. The article explores the challenges service user trustees will have to face when participating in the services they have discussed as a trustee, such as maintaining confidentiality. It examines the training needed to enable user trustees to take part in the full decision making process. It details stress management practices necessary for service user trustees to ensure they are quipped to make good decisions. The author concludes that the resources invested in good support for trustees will result in better and more representative decisions, coupled with a lower turnover of trustees.
Where now for the Independent Living Fund?
- Author:
- HOLMAN Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(4), 2010, pp.8-9.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
This article briefly examines the history and uncertain future of the Independent Living Fund. The Independent Living Fund was originally set up in 1988 as a transitional arrangement to support severely disabled people living at home. It came about following changes to the old benefit system which put some people at risk of losing some domestic assistance allowances. Funded by the government, it is now used by many people with learning disabilities to live independently.
Where carers become the cared for
- Author:
- HOLMAN Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(4), 2010, pp.16-18.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
Carers with learning disabilities are a hidden group within the population, and remain a largely neglected group. The article describes a campaign called ‘Who Cares for Us?' which is working with government and social services to make sure carers with learning disabilities are included in the new carers strategies. The Valuing People Now formed a National Network for Carers with Learning Disabilities, building on the work of 'Who Cares for Us'. The article acknowledges that more needs to be done, but ultimately supporting carers is an invaluable process, both for the community and the economy.
Assessing needs requires an element of human judgement
- Author:
- COLLINGE Brian
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(4), 2010, pp.20-21.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
The author reflects on the current approach to assessing needs using a tariff system, arguing that people with severe learning disabilities who need support deserve more than those who need help in the declining years. As personal budgets allow both the elderly and those with learning disabilities to have a greater say in the services provided to them, an attempt is being made to remove the subjectivity and judgement out of the needs assessment process. With more measurements in place, factors such as the ability to maintain hygiene, prepare food, take medicine and remain safe are key indicators used to assess needs. However, the author suggests that it is wrong to completely eliminate the human and political judgement from the assessment process, and we should not replace it with measurements and pseudo-scientific data.
We have ways of communicating
- Author:
- WILLIAMS Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(4), 2010, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
This article discusses different ways of communicating with people with severe learning disabilities. It describes both extremes of the communication spectrum, focussing on those with the most severe problems. Looking at intense interaction, the author shows how communication is possible with everyone, no matter the severity of the impairment, as long as one can master effective ways of sharing in and understanding their behaviours. A key principle in communicating with people with learning disabilities is to use the knowledge and expertise of those who know the person well, and, as such, we should involve these people in the communication process. The article presents good advice on how best to achieve meaningful communication with those with severe learning disabilities, including the process of total communication – a process involving as many methods as possible, when necessary, to aid in the communication process.
Independence need not equal social isolation
- Author:
- HAMMOND Tracy
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(4), 2010, pp.11-13.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
This article highlights the philosophy of KeyRing Support Networks, which works on the basis that support in the community is at least as valuable as support that has a cost, not least in creating good personal relationships. KeyRing is an organisation which, from its inception twenty years ago, is based around a network in which a number of people with support needs live in their own homes in an area around which it is possible to walk safely. It is the relationships between the volunteers, members and their community which prevents much of the isolation often associated with these people. With spending cuts on the horizon, and a possible reduction in the hours that paid staff will spend with people, the article suggests is has becomes urgent to turn the rhetoric about social capital into the reality of lasting relationships and meaningful connections with the community.
A crisis of justice
- Author:
- WALLIS Louise
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(3), Spring 2010, pp.10-11.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
This article describes how the damning verdict of the inquest into the deaths of Fiona Pilkington and her disabled daughter Frankie caused a national scandal. The jury delivered a verdict of suicide on Fiona Pilkington, 38, and unlawful killing for her 18 year old daughter, whose body was found in a blazing car in a layby in October 2007. The jury decided that the police action contributed to the deaths, notably the failure of officers to connect dozens of separate calls for assistance. The article outlines the points raised by the author at a Westminster Briefing, called to discuss how such a crisis of justice could be overcome. It concludes that people with learning difficulties have become so accustomed to hate crime that they are failing to recognise it themselves.
Fact sheet: lasting powers of attorney – property and finance
- Author:
- PANTER Rachael
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(3), Spring 2010, p.24.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
This fact sheet outlines the legal process of appointing an attorney to look after someone’s financial affairs if the loose capacity. The article highlights how, in October 2009, redesigned Lasting Power of Attorney forms were introduced in England and Wales. The forms are shorter easier to understand and contain guidance for completion. The article provides brief bullet points of the main features of Lasting Power of Attorney,
Assessment – what is important to this person?
- Author:
- WILLIAMS Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(3), Spring 2010, pp.19-20.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
Assessment is the systematic collection, recording and interpretation of information for a particular purpose. In the past, it has been usual for some very negative information to be collected about people with learning disabilities, sometimes as a supposed way of identifying needs, but sometimes as a trigger for control, subversion and oppression. This short article urges students to develop positive values towards people with learning disabilities and an orientation towards positive information about them. These principles, the author suggests, can, and should be, reflected in assessment.