AUTISM - Royal Society of Medicine Conference

Autism

Monday 23 March 2009

Venue: The Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 0AE

organised by the Royal Society of Medicine in association with General Practice with Primary Health Care Section, Paediatrics & Child Health Section, Intellectual Disability Forum and the Psychiatry Section

Speakers to Include: 

Professor Ann Le Couteur, 
Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Newcastle University

Professor Tony Holland, 
Health Foundation Chair in Learning Disability, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge

Dr Declan Murphy, Psychological Medicine & Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London

Professor Patricia Howlin, Professor of Clinical Child Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, London

For more information and to book please CLICK HERE

Disability Equality Duty Reports published 1st December 2008

The Government has today highlighted progress towards achieving its ambition of equality for disabled people by 2025 with the publication of a series of reports from 11 Secretaries of State, the Office for Disability Issues’ (ODI) annual report and additional research about the Disability Equality Duty.

The reports by the 11 Secretaries of State are the first of their kind. They identify progress towards disability equality made by each department and where there are still issues to address. They also show how departments and public bodies will work strategically to introduce mechanisms for change. The ODI has produced an overview of the Secretary of State reports, highlighting key findings from each.

To access all 11 reports click here reports

To download the report for health and care services

Download Secretary of State for Health report on Disability Equality (PDF, 1461K)

PMLD Network

The PMLD Network

The PMLD Network is a group of people committed to improving the lives of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

People with PMLD are unique individuals but sometimes it is helpful to talk about groups of people:

• Who have common concerns
• Who have distinctive needs
• Who face barriers to being included
• Who need help to fight for their equal rights

The PMLD Network brings people with PMLD and their families, carers and advocates together with statutory and voluntary agencies, to share good practice, to campaign and to provide information and support.

The aim of the PMLD Network is to make sure people with PMLD are fully included in society.

To access the PMLD Website CLICK HERE

Read the PMLD Network definition of profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) 

• PMLD Definition

DCP Faculty for Learning Disabilities CPD Event 2009

Start Date: 27, April, 2009       End Date: 29, April, 2009

	Conference Description
	Advancing Practice: Training and development for clinical psychologists who work with people who have learning disabilities This years Annual CPD Event will take place in Belfast Registration is now open
	Address			Contact Details
	Venue  Ramada Belfast  117 Milltown Road  Shaws Bridge  Belfast    Keynote Speakers Andy McDonnell - Physical Intervention  Bill Lindsay - Factors influencing referral, engagement and progress in forensic ID Services  Other confirmed speakers:  Paul Willner - Capacity to participate in court proceedings  Karen Dodd - Dementia Guidelines  Sandra Baum - Parenting Guidelines  Roy McConkey - Intellectual disability: Time to accentuate the positive Draft programme now available  FLD 2009 Draft Programme

Registration is now open, please download the form below.  FLD 2009 Registration Form

INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS???

With the ever increasing need for symbols to represent a range of everyday objects, activities and jobs, the following have been suggested as possibly being used by psychologists engaged in different areas of work...

                                                                                                                  

Evaluation of the Individual Budgets pilot programme: final report

The Individual Budgets pilot programme was a cross-government initiative led by the Department of Health working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, and Communities and Local Government. 

The pilot was conducted over two years 2006-2007 involving 13 local authorities.

The report was written by a combined team from The University of York Social Policy Research Unit and the Personal Social Services Research Units of Manchester University, LSE and University of Kent; and Kings College London. They were collectively called The Individual Budgets Evaluation Network (IBSEN). 

• Download full report (PDF, 5368K)
• Download executive summary (PDF, 424K)
• Download 4-page summary (PDF, 138K)
  
  

Mental Health & Social Care Bulletin

Mental Health & Social Care

Current Awareness Bulletin provided by the East of England Confederation Library and Knowledge Services Alliance

Librarians check selected Internet sites for reports and news items of interest to staff working in the Mental Health and Social Care sectors.

In addition information is provided on research, imminent conferences, training, books newly published, useful websites and journals offering table of contents (TOC) of current issues.

To access recent Bulletins

follow this link to the Clinical Resource Centre and Library at West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust

Click here to download recent bulletins

or follow this link to Essex Public Health Resource Unit - Library

Click here for an alternate way of accessing the bulletins

New pack helps schools tackle bullying of people with learning disabilities

Over the last year UR Consultants, a social enterprise set up by United Response and staffed by people with learning disabilities in the Trafford area of Greater Manchester, has been working with local schools to tackle the bullying of people with learning disabilities.

The pack was developed as a result of training UR Consultants delivered in schools. This face to face training included presentations, class discussions, games and short films, as well as members of the team sharing their own personal experiences of being bullied. All of these elements are represented in the pack.

To read the Press Release   CLICK HERE

To find out more about the Pack     CLICK HERE

To access the Unite Response Website     CLICK HERE

“Children who live in areas with heavy rainfall could be more likely to develop autism”

The Daily Telegraph has reported that children who live in areas with heavy rainfall could be more likely to develop autism.

The newspaper said that researchers believe that rain could be an “environmental trigger” for the condition, that makes “susceptible” children develop autism symptoms.It said the reason behind the association is unknown.

This study looked at annual rainfall in three US states and the number of children diagnosed with autism who lived in those areas in their first three years of life. It found there to be more children with autism living in wetter areas than in drier ones.

However it is important to be aware that this type of research can only demonstrate an association. It does not prove that rainfall has any connection with the development of autism and there are many other factors that may determine why some children in these areas develop autism. 

The causes of autism remain unclear and are thought to include genetic, environmental and medical factors.

To read a detailed article

FOLLOW THIS LINK

Many Parents choosing to keep Down's Syndrome babies

A research study conducted by the Downs Syndrome Association interviewing 1000 parents has found that more Down's syndrome babies are being born than before pre-natal screening became widespread.

The UK saw 749 Down's births in 2006, up from 717 in 1989 when tests came in.

To read the BBC News report

CLICK HERE

To find out more about Downs Syndrome - visit the Downs Syndrome Association web site

CLICK HERE

Born with Down's will be transmitted on Radio 4 at 2000 GMT on Monday 24 November.

To listen to the Radio 4 Broadcast on BBC iPlayer

CLICK HERE

LEARNING DISABILITY HATE CRIME

Good Practice Guidance for Crime & Disorder Reduction 

Partnerships and Learning Disability Partnership
Boards

Developed by Inclusion North www.inclusionnorth.org

Funded by the Home Office Violent Crime Unit

This Good Practice Guidance has been written to help everyone tackle HATE CRIME against people with learning disabilities to make the community and local neighbourhoods safer.

To download a copy of the REPORT

CLICK HERE

A Training Pack has also been developed to train people about Disability Hate Crime 

To down load a copy of the TRAINING PACK

CLICK HERE

Following up ‘Healthcare for All’

A briefing note from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities and the Valuing People 

Support Team 

‘Healthcare for All’ (the report of the independent Michael Inquiry into access to health care for people with learning disabilities) was launched on 29 July 2008. 

This Inquiry followed two previous reports highlighting the health inequalities and poor access to health care experienced by people with learning disabilities – the Disability Rights Commission Formal Investigation that reported in 2006 and Mencap’s  ‘Death by Indifference’ report in 2007.

In launching the Inquiry’s report, Sir Jonathan Michael emphasised his concern that people with learning disabilities were effectively invisible to the mainstream NHS. 

He urged each NHS body to act now to ensure that 

‘reasonable adjustments’ are offered throughout the services they commission or provide. 

To read the full briefing and to access other related reports

CLICK HERE

CSCI EasyRead report on fair access to care

What we think about  how councils choose  who gets services?

CSCI Easy Read Report

The Department of Health asked CSCI to look at how councils decide who gets support. 

This involved a review of the FAIR ACCESS TO CARE - which has resulted in much complaint and controversy across the country.

To DOWNLOAD a copy of the report

CLICK HERE 

PRISONERS VOICES

Experiences of the Criminal Justices System of Prisoners with Learning Disabilities and Difficulties

Vulnerable people face abuse and discrimination throughout the Criminal Justice system

A failure of leadership and direction across the criminal justice system has resulted in vulnerable people facing personal, systemic and routine discrimination from the point of arrest through to release from prison, according to a groundbreaking, three year review published in November 2008 by the Prison Reform Trust.

Prisoners Voices finds that, at worst, the absence of police safeguards increases the likelihood of vulnerable people experiencing miscarriages of justice, that once in court their lack of understanding grows as their lives are taken over by opaque court procedures and legalistic terminology and in prison many are left to fend for themselves in a shadowy world of not quite knowing what is going on around them or what is expected of them.

Prisoners Voices is the concluding report of the Prison Reform Trust's No One Knows programme revealing the experiences of people with learning disabilities or difficulties in contact with the criminal justice system.  

Previous reports, have estimated that 20-30 per cent of offenders have learning disabilities or difficulties that interfere with their ability to cope within the criminal justice system.

The report has been submitted to the independent Bradley review looking at the diversion of offenders with mental health problems and learning disabilities, which is expected to report to ministers in the New Year. 

Although the report finds pockets of good practice it concludes that those providing leadership in the criminal justice system throughout the UK are failing in their legal duty to eliminate disability discrimination and promote equality.

To download a copy of the report - follow this link

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE

Remember to Post your comments

Please feel free to add your own comments to the topics and if you have a link to an interesting article or website post this as a comment - or sign the GUESTBOOK below...


Click HERE to read and sign the GUESTBOOK

NHS Next Stage Review Final Report : High Quality Care for All

Over the last 12 months Lord Darzi (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State) has led the NHS Next Stage Review. As a result High Quality Care for All, the final report of the NHS Next Stage Review has now been published

 

High Quality Care for All is about enabling visions of high quality health care to be delivered and supporting improvements that have been developed and agreed locally. 

 

The final report sets out wide-ranging proposals that place quality of care at the heart of everything the NHS does, empowering patients and staff to secure effective and personalised care.

It sets out a vision for a 21^st Century NHS that:

 

• Helps people to stay healthy.

 

• Gives patients more rights and control over their own health and care.

 

• Gives patients even greater influence over the services they use.

 

• Places quality at the heart of everything it does.

 

• Is pioneering, and embraces the best new ideas and treatments.

 

• Values its staff and empowers them to lead local change.

 

Constitution

As part of the Review a consultation on a new Constitution for the NHS has been launched.  

 

Workforce

 A High Quality Workforce has also been published, which sets out a strategy for improving workforce planning, education and training. 

 

 

Follow this link to read High Quality Care for All, the consultation on the constitution and the A High Quality Workforce http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk/

 

 

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Toolkit

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) TOOLKIT

The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme has one principal aim - to help PCTs implement NICE Guidelines for people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. The Government is committed to improving access to psychological therapies and announced additional funding to increase services over the next three years. 

This Commissioning Toolkit is designed to help PCTs improve or establish stepped care psychological therapies following NICE guidelines. 

The toolkit is structured around the commissioning cycle and is specifically linked to the World Class Commissioning competencies.  

It brings together a wide range of existing tools and guides and includes positive practice examples throughout.

To download the TOOLKIT - click here

Valuing People Newsletter - Self Directed Support and Families

The latest newsletter is about some of the important things families of people with a learning disability need to know to have more choice and control in their lives.

The focus is on families and ‘self directed support’, or what has been more 

recently called Personalisation. 

The aim of the newsletter is to try and give families some information about 

personalisation and the different ways that it can help people have more 

choice and control in their lives. This is done through stories from 

families who are already ‘doing’ self directed support. 

The Valuing People Support Team asked the families a number of questions

• What made you try self directed support? 

• How has it changed your family’s life? 

• Have you had to overcome challenges along the way and how? 

• Do you have any top tips for other families? 

Follow the link below to download the report and find out what the families had to say:

Click here to read the newsletter

BANNED WORDS

The Local Government Association (LGA) has published a list of 100 words that public bodies should not use if they want to communicate effectively.

Local government leaders say that unless councils talk to residents in a language they understand, the work they do becomes inaccessible. This reduces the chances of people getting involved in their local issues.

The LGA's top 100 'banned words'

1. ambassador
2. agencies
3. beacon
4. best practice
5. bottom-up
6. CAAs
7. can do culture
8. capacity
9. capacity building
10. cascading
11. cautiously welcome
12. champion
13. citizen empowerment
14. community engagement
15. conditionality
16. consensual
17. contestability
18. core message
19. core value
20. coterminosity
21. coterminous
22. cross-cutting
23. customer
24. democratic mandate/legitimacy
25. distorts spending priorities
26. early win
27. empowerment
28. engagement
29. engaging users
30. enhance
31. evidence base
32. external challenge
33. facilitate
34. fast-track
35. flexibilities and freedoms
36. framework
37. fulcrum
38. good practice
39. governance
40. guidelines
41. holistic
42. holistic governance
43. improvement levers
44. incentivising
45. income/funding streams
46. initiative
47. joined up
48. joint working
49. LAAs
50. level playing field
51. localities
52. meaningful consultation/dialogue
53. MAAs
54. menu of options
55. multi-agency
56. multidisciplinary
57. outcomes
58. output
59. participatory
60. partnerships
61. pathfinder
62. peer challenge
63. performance network
64. place shaping
65. predictors of beaconicity
66. preventative services
67. priority
68. process driven
69. quick hit
70. quick win
71. resource allocation
72. revenue streams
73. risk based
74. scaled-back
75. scoping
76. seedbed
77. service users
78. shared priority
79. signpost
80. single point of contact
81. slippage
82. social contracts
83. stakeholder
84. step change
85. strategic/overarching
86. streamlined
87. subsidiary
88. sustainable
89. sustainable communities
90. symposium
91. synergies
92. tested for soundness
93. third sector
94. top-down
95. transformational
96. transparency
97. value-added
98. vision
99. visionary
100. welcome

for further information on the use of plain English follow this link and read the resources on the Plain English Campaign Website:

Link to Plain English Campaign

...all comments are 'welcomed'....