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17 November 2009
Mencap presents its response to the social care green paper
'Don't cut us out' is the theme of Mencap's response
The government's consultation on the social care green paper closed on 13 November.
'Shaping the Future of Care Together' was launched in July and set out the government's vision for the future of adult social care.
Mencap launched a consultation on the paper in order to write its response, aiming to give the learning disability community a strong voice in the social care debate.
Ismail Kaji, campaigns officer, presented Mencap's response to the Department of Health with a theme of 'Don't cut us out'. As well as a written response, Mencap submitted a video of people with a learning disability and carers saying what they think about social care.
Rossanna Trudgian, campaigns and policy officer at Mencap, said: "We welcome the green paper and its proposal to create a National Care Service, including a national assessment framework and portability. However, to deliver the vision laid out in the green paper, the government will need to address the failures of the current system and ensure that a personalised approach is taken at all levels of the new one.
"The paper does not address the funding gap for disabled adults of a working age, including people with a learning disability, which will be exacerbated by increasing levels of future need. We strongly urge the government to address this issue."
There were over 1,200 responses to Mencap's consultation. The main issues raised were:
- Choice: A lack of choice of services was raised by most people. Many people support personalisation but think that there is not enough choice to meet their needs.
- Funding: Most people highlighted the need for more funding, or raised issues that are a direct result of an under-funded system.
- Employment: This issue was mainly raised by people with a learning disability and family carers. Many people discussed the need to get more people with a learning disability into employment.
- Housing: There was a significant call for more supported living schemes; people with a learning disability want choice about where they live and who they live with.
Other issues included: the postcode lottery, a lack of consistent care, a need for more easy-to-understand information and a desire to be involved in decision-making.
The government is expected to publish the findings of the green paper early in 2010.
Read Mencap's response to 'Shaping the Future of Care Together'
