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Further education for people with learning difficulties: findings
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 1996
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
The Further and Higher Education Act (1992) brought major changes to the way that continuing education is delivered for adults. The 'Still a Chance to Learn?' Project explored the impact of these changes specifically on adults with learning difficulties. The study found that the Act has had a mixed impact, with younger people and those with less severe learning difficulties often gaining, while the position for those with profound leaning difficulties has worsened.
The importance and availability of peer support for people with learning difficulties accessing direct payments
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
New regulations which came into force in 2003 in England (and similar measures in Wales in 2004) mean that local authorities do not just have the power to offer direct payments; they now have a duty to offer them to eligible people. In theory, this should mean far higher numbers of people receiving direct payments, including people with learning difficulties. But key to take-up of direct payments is the availability of effective support to access and manage them. There are very few independent direct payments support schemes run by and for people with learning difficulties. Most independent direct payments support is provided by existing disabled people's organisations or direct payments schemes set up for the purpose. There are some very good examples but most independent direct payments support schemes have limited or no involvement by people with learning difficulties. There are different views and expectations about what 'independent' support means. The quality of support is crucial, not just its independence from statutory services. Assumptions about consent and ability to manage direct payments can block people with learning difficulties from accessing support and these can be held equally by independent support schemes as by statutory services. Sometimes an individual with appropriate attitudes, information and experience, whether based in independent support agencies or within social services, can have more effect in enabling people with learning difficulties to access direct payments than an independent contract that is given to those with little knowledge or experience about including people with learning difficulties. Local issues and assumptions around funding, tendering and contracts have a big influence on whether people with learning difficulties are included in support schemes and whether contracts are given to groups of people with learning difficulties.