Campaigning for Change
We have been campaigning for these three simple, cost saving and logical changes to social care policy for over
3 years. Our campaigning has encompassed Ministers and politicians from all sides of the political spectrum, as
well as key Local Government bodies including the LGA and ADASS, key reviews and consultations, and other
charities and organisations who work in fields affected by these issues. We hope you will show your support by
voting for change here and liking our Facebook page here
Our aims:
Portability
-
To reform local authority regulations so that care assessments and support packages for children and adults
become easily transferable. The current system substantially impedes those wishing to relocate and incurs
un-necessary costs.
We need you - a call for case studies!
We are constantly asked for other examples, of people willing to be cases studies openly or anonymously to help
give those looking at these policies more real life examples from parents, carers and the disabled who are
trapped in the local authorities by a lack of portability. Please contact us with your experiences on
portability factsheet 1
portability factsheet 2
Code of Practice
-
To see the production of a Code of Practice, incorporating all current social care law and
government guidance, which would clearly define the responsibilities and duties of Local
Authorities in the provision of social care.
This cost effective measure will mean both the local authorities and families have transparency on
what to expect in terms of assessment and support provision required for those with disabilities.
Clear, collated information will manage expectations on all sides we believe reducing the number of
conflicts and complaints that could lead to costly court cases. This is not a new idea, as
precedent has already been set by SEN Code of Practice.
Social Services Tribunal
-
To see the creation of an independent Social Services Tribunal, which would follow the tribunal
model in other sectors, with the Code of Practise underpinning its judgments
Under the current complaints system the Local Authority is defendant, judge and jury. An
independent Tribunal system would change this, making the process more transparent and helping
resolve issues with less confrontation than would happen if the dispute ends up in the High Court.
The independence of the system will smooth relationships between complainants and the authority
who, after all will have to dust themselves down and work together again once the dispute is
resolved in caring for the disabled individual concerned.
Why our aims are achievable
-
They are costed: the money saved by greatly reducing judicial reviews and by transferring local authorities’
internal complaints procedures could more than pay for the creation of an independent Social Services Tribunal.
-
The bureaucracy can be minimised. The transferring of care assessments and support packages will save significant
costs, and will still allow for local outcomes.
-
Although a relatively simple regulatory change is needed for portability to be achievable, it will still need
political leadership to make it happen.