July 18, 2008

Person-centred Planning Coming Of-f?

By Nigel Perfect

A transition expert has revealed details of a new project that aims to involve OFSTED more in the transition process.

The intention is to combine knowledge of person-centred transition reviews with OFSTED’s self-evaluation frameworks to improve transition work.

Jonathan Ralphs, the Person Centred Planning Manager for Buckinghamshire County Council who will oversee the research, said it is believed to be the first time that this has been explored.

“The objective is to work out how we can include the OFSTED competencies in person-centred planning so it’s like a good practice guide for schools,” he said.

Person-centred transition reviews seek to put the service user at the heart of the transition process.

“I also want to try and get OFSTED to recognise that person-centred planning has fundamental values.”

OFSTED self-evaluation frameworks encourage schools to review themselves, the findings are then presented to OFSTED.

Mr Ralphs said: “My gut feeling is that with transition reviews we engage with headteachers and no more, it’s the people beyond that in education and government agencies that we need to involve so the full benefits of person-centred planning can be taken advantage of.”

July 11, 2008

‘Postcode Lottery’ problem must end, argues charity

by Nigel Perfect

A prominent disability campaigner has voiced her concerns with the ‘postcode lottery’ problem that affects disabled people across the country.

Rachel Christophides, Head of Campaigns for the charity Livability, praised the government for setting out plans to tackle the problem but warned more could be done.

“For a lot of local authorities it really is a postcode lottery, in one area the service can be smooth, in another there can be no service at all,” she said.

The ‘postcode lottery’ is the term used by disability campaigners to describe the differing level of care offered disabled people across the country.

A service user in one part of the country could be eligible for a certain level of care, according to certain criteria, but may not get the same package in a different area.

 “It hampers the mobility of disabled people, the packages aren’t portable and for a disabled person it is often a hideous, lengthy and worrying experience.

“One of the real challenges is converging the good intentions of the government into action at a local level,” Ms Christophides said.

The ‘postcode lottery’ problem is also one of the reasons behind the continuing campaign for the right to independent living for disabled people.

July 4, 2008

Disabled threatened by credit crunch, MP says

by Nigel Perfect

A senior politician has warned that the credit crunch will hit those with disabilities hardest unless action is taken.

The Liberal Democrat Disabilities Spokesman John Barrett spoke in a parliamentary debate on the cost of living and warned that rising fuel and food prices had disabled people into poverty.

The Edinburgh West MP said: “The recent increases in the cost of fuel and food will have hit those with disabilities the earliest and the hardest.

“Even before the recent increases in the cost of fuel and food, the extra essential day to day costs of living with a disability were already pushing many disabled people into poverty.”

He claimed that around 60% of disabled people have to cut back on essentials such as food and heating.

He also argued that it is essential that Government benefits start to take into account the extra costs of living with a disability.

“It is high time that ministers extend the Winter Fuel Allowance to those disabled people under the age of 60 who receive middle or higher rate care component, or higher rate mobility Disability Living Allowance,” he said.