CSCI State of Social Care Report - Mencap responds

Tuesday 27 January 2009

Responding to The State of Social Care in England 2007/08 report published by the Commission for Social Care Inspection today (27 January), David Congdon, head of campaigns and policy at Mencap, said: 

"Once again we are faced with a report which highlights the growing gap between government policy and the reality faced by people with a learning disability who are finding it increasingly difficult to access services.

"CSCI's final report shows a social care system that is failing to keep pace with the government's vision for people with a learning disability set out in Valuing People Now just last week 

"The long-awaited adult social care green paper due in the Spring must deliver the funding needed to meet the needs and rights of people with a learning disability, otherwise we will continue to fail some of our most vulnerable citizens."

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Notes to editors

For more information please contact Lucy Hannagan,  Mencap press office, lucy.hannagan@mencap.org.uk, 020 7696 6017

• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong.
• Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life. People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. Mencap fights to change laws and services and to provide better access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
• It is not a mental illness and should not be confused with mental health issues. It is not dyslexia or aspergers syndrome.
• It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
• For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit www.askmencap.info
• For online press information, go to www.mencap.org.uk/press