Mencap responds to Care and Support White Paper and draft bill

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Mencap believes reforms will have a positive impact on the lives of disabled people, but that crucial issue on long-term funding must be addressed

"The social care system is in crisis. Years of underinvestment and cuts to services have left one in four adults with a learning disability literally stuck in the home, isolated and at risk, with family carers at breaking point and scared about the future.

We believe that the Government has now set out a framework for reform which will have a positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disability and their families. Crucially, the White Paper and draft bill will set a minimum standard of eligibility and improve assessments, which we hope will end the post code lottery of services that many disabled people face today.

We are reassured to see that the Government has committed to fund immediate reforms, but this promising blue print will never get off the ground if it fails to address the chronic underfunding in social care. The Government cannot delay any longer, and must now outline an urgent plan of how it intends to fund social care reform in the long term.”

Notes to editors

For further information please contact Pasca Lane at the Mencap press office – pasca.lane@mencap.org.uk, 0207 696 6017.

• About Mencap

There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK. Mencap works to support people with a learning disability and their families and carers by fighting to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities. Mencap supports thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.

We are also one of the largest providers of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. People with a learning disability and their carers can find out more about our services by calling Mencap Direct on 0300 333 111 or by visiting www.mencap.org.uk

• What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.

People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complex information and interact with other people.

The level of support someone needs depends on individual factors, including the severity of their learning disability.