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Families
This section of the website is about the important part that families play in the lives of people with learning disabilities.
Many people with learning disabilities live with their families (we think 60%), and get most of the support they need from them. Valuing People said that this should be recognised and that family carers should get more support from services to help them.
The Home Farm Trust have set up a National Family Carer Network. You can find out more about from their website below.
News
The Learning Disability Task Force needs to find 1 new family carer representative. Find out more from the information below. To talk about applying, contact Helen Dorr at Helen.Dorr@hft.org.uk or on 02380 653833.
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What does Valuing People say?
Valuing People has a chapter about Supporting Carers. It also came with a separate book called 'Family Matters' that said more about what needs to change for family carers.
Objective: To increase the help and support carers receive from all local agencies in order to fulfil their family and caring roles effectively.
Family carers said they wanted:
- More and better information
- Better assessment of their own needs
- Better access to support services like day services and short break services (respite care) particularly for those with more severe disabilities
- To be treated as valued partners by local agencies, not as barriers to their son's or daughter's greater independence
What does Valuing People say will happen?
- Family carers of people with learning disabilities will get the benefit from all mainstream carers initiatives
- The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 means family carers can ask for an assessment of their needs, whether or not the person they care for is having an assessment.
- The Government and Mencap will start a National Learning Disability Information Centre and Help Line
- New guidance will be written on exclusions from services
- Local councils will have to pay particular attention to finding and supporting carers who are more than 70 years old, and carers from minority ethnic communities
- Carers and carer organisations will be part of the Learning Disability Taskforce
And the Implementation Guidance that came after Valuing People said that there should be at least two family carers on each Partnership Board. It said Boards should make sure that they can play a full part in all discussions and decisions, and that they can reflect the views of other local family carers.
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