Member News
21st October 2010
Su Sayer OBE, chief executive of United Response looks at the impact of the spending review on adults with learning disabilities.
Today's comprehensive spending review contained a mixture of good and bad news for adults with learning disabilities or mental health needs. While the 2bn pounds in extra funding for social care was a positive move, the fact that it is not ring-fenced means it is too soon to say whether already overstretched local authorities will be able to use it to offset the huge cuts they are facing overall. Similarly, there are serious concerns about whether the vast reductions in welfare may end up hitting people with disabilities disproportionately.
Still, it should be remembered that as significant as the comprehensive spending review was, it was not the end of the matter. There is still a long road ahead, and local authorities will be wrestling with their budgets and where and how to make savings for many months to come.
That's why those of us in the voluntary sector who provide public services must keep striving towards the best possible outcomes for the people who rely on our support. Many organisations and individuals will be deeply worried and unsure of the future today, but we need to work together with everyone – the individuals affected, their families, the government and local authorities - to find the most creative and efficient ways of delivering support and care to those who most need it.
None of this will be easy but we must do all we can to make it work for the sake of the millions for whom such services are a lifeline.
Article Comments
I am very concerned about the removal of the mobility component of DLA. I think it will have a devastating effect on the quality of life for severely disabled adults in residential care. The voluntary sector responsible for providing the care will not be able to get more money from strap cashed local authorities. We still do not know what role Motability will take in all this, or whether it will even exist in the near future.
It can be very difficult for certain learning disabled people who have challenging behaviours to share a vehicle with others.
The cuts could mean that these vulnerable adults' quality of life will diminish as they will be forced to remain either indoors or on-site for large periods of the day. The disruption of the usual pattern of their day will confuse them and result in deteriorating behaviours.
I don't think that the proposal has been thought through properly.
Louisa Spivack
1st Nov 2010 at 9:55 pm
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