July 2008
Sharing information – learning disability – young people – transition – black and minority ethnic (BME)
Welcome to the electronic Moving On Update.
This Moving On Update is here to provide information to the carers and supporters of young people aged 14 and upwards from Black and Minority Ethnic communities who have a learning disability and are making the change from school to adulthood.
This electronic Update runs alongside our website www.movingonup.info that is designed to be used by this group of young people supported by their carers.
Funded by the Dimensions Group
Previously by Diana Memorial Fund / Vodafone UK Foundation
Run by the Association for Real Change, ARC
This Moving On Update goes out free to all subscribers. It will be sent out monthly and the project is currently funded until the end of August 2008. Those who subscribe to come from a variety of backgrounds; some are professionals in both the public and private sector; some belong to voluntary organisations and others are people who have a learning disability or care for someone with a learning disability.
Please feel free to forward the Update on to other people who may be interested. If you have something you want to share amongst subscribers you are welcome to email it to us to pam.smith@arcuk.org.uk
*Please Note: All back issues of the Update will shortly be available to download from the Moving On Update Archive
Sections in the Moving On Update:
Item 1
Centre for Excellence and Outcomes (C4EO) Core Partners: National Children’s Bureau (ncb), National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), Research in Practice and Social Care Institute for Excellence (scie)
Launched on 1st July 2008, C4EO aims to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families in England by identifying and coordinating the evidence of what works at a national, regional and local level.
Established and funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), C4EO is a programme that brings together many of the organisations at the forefront of the children’s sector. The centre is led by Christine Davies CBE and core members of the partnership are the National Children’s Bureau (NCB); the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER); Research In Practice (RIP); and the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).
Drawing on a the very latest and best available knowledge, and working in close consultation and co-operation with the ADCS, the LGA and the regional Government Offices, C4EO will act as a catalyst for change, empowering Children’s Trusts and the wider sector to increase the effectiveness of the services they deliver.
More information can be found in the frequently asked questions on the website.
The website for the national Centre for Excellence and Outcomes (C4EO) in Children and Young People’s Services:
www.c4eo.org.uk
Item 2
Guiding Your Teenager with Special Need Through the Transition From School to Adult Life Author: Mary Korpi
This is a book aimed at family carers of teenagers who have special needs and has been written for readers in the United States. The book is written in plain English and is easy to read.
There are 13 chapters that cover many aspects of the transition process, ranging from the parent’s role to explaining what services are available for young people. However, a substantial part of this book will have little relevance to UK readers because it references US education practices, legislation and social policies.
This book could be useful for some nurses, practitioners and academics.
ISBN: 9781843108740 Price: £13.99
Item 3
Developing Advocacy for Children and Young People – Current Issues in Research, Policy and Practice Foreword by Cherie Booth QC
This book explores the latest debates and findings relating to research and practice in the field of children and young people’s advocacy. Contributors present the key issues and dynamics of current advocacy practice and examine its role within health, education and social care services, including its impact on inter-professional collaboration, the development of personalised services and the barriers and facilitators to children’s participation in children’s services.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
www.jessicakingsley.co.uk/
ISBN: 978 1 84310 596 1
£19.99
Item 4
Housing and Disabled Children
Research by Bryony Beresford with Dave Rhodes
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
In recent years the issue of housing and disabled children has moved up the policy agenda, and there are currently opportunities for change at both the national and local policy level. This round-up provides an overview of what is known about the housing circumstances of disabled children and their families.
The full report can be downloaded at:
www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/housing/2208.asp
Other formats are available:
Tel: 01904 615905
Email: info@jrf.org.uk
Item 5
Dossier Prepared for UN Details Grim Plight of Many Young People in Britain
Guardian News and Media Limited 2008
Breaches of the convention included the use of painful thumb holds to control young offenders, plans to use dental x-rays to check the age of child asylum seekers, and institutional discrimination by the NHS against children with learning difficulties.
Patricia Lewsley, the commissioner for Northern Ireland, said racism and discrimination was a common experience for children from Traveller and ethnic minority communities.
Across Britain, 82% of children with learning disabilities are bullied and most are afraid to venture out in the street. “There is evidence of institutional discrimination in the NHS against people with a learning disability, leading to neglect and unequal healthcare”.
The full report can be read at:
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jun/09/children.youngpeople
Item 6
The ‘OK’ Health Check
Fairfield Publications
Since it was first published in 1997 the 'OK Health Check has become the most widely used health assessment system in the UK. It is currently in use by no less than 150 NHS Trusts, Social Services Departments and Private Sector organisations.
The Third Edition has been completely updated in response to the White Paper ‘Valuing People’, and ensures that care agencies meet the requirements of the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) by providing evidence that service users' health needs have been assessed and recognised.
The NCSC requires that providers of care must be able to:- ‘… demonstrate that the healthcare needs of the service users are assessed and recognised and that procedures are in place to address them.’
New Sections in this updated Third Edition:
A copy of the Health Facilitation models on which the Health Check is based can be downloaded at: www.fairfieldpublications.co.uk/OK.htm
To Purchase The ‘OK’ Health Check
Order Direct from: Fairfield Publications, P.O. Box 310, Preston Central, PR1 9GH
Initial User Pack – £50.00 (Not PC Version) Replacement/additional assessment materials – £3.00 each, sets of 10 – £25.00 Post and Packing – Orders £50 and under – P&P £3, Orders over £50 – P&P £5, Orders over £100 Post Free.
Universities, NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Independent Organisations etc may order on official documentation, an invoice will be issued for payment within 30 days.
ORDER FORM An order form can be downloaded at: www.fairfieldpublications.co.uk/OK.htm
Item 7
Use of Private Care Providers Defended
Children and Young People Now
The government has reiterated its commitment to a “diverse provider base” for residential care homes, despite recognising concerns about the behaviour of some private firms.
In its response to the Children, Schools and Families Committee's report on the Children and Young Persons Bill, the government emphasised the importance of local authorities maintaining close relationships with private providers.
For more information visit:
www.cypnow.co.uk/News/EmailIt/817557/Use-private-care-providers-defended/
Item 8
Its My Right
Campaign for the rights of people with learning disabilities to have sex and relationships
Family Planning Association's (fpa) Sexual Health Week 2008
Fulfilling whatever it is we desire from an intimate relationship is one of our fundamental needs as human beings. Everybody has the right to have sex and relationships if they want, in whatever context they choose.
But some people in society, such as people with learning disabilities/difficulties, aren’t always given the automatic right to have relationships and flourish as sexual beings. They have to persuade others to allow them to do it.
fpa believes passionately that everyone has the right to enjoy sexual health. For this year’s Sexual Health Week our campaign It's My Right!, focuses on the rights of people with learning disabilities/difficulties to sex and relationships.
Over the last 15 years fpa has worked with some of the 1.5 million people in the UK estimated to have learning disabilities/difficulties, through community projects, learning resources and training for the professionals working alongside them.
Some people with learning disabilities/difficulties will find what they need from mainstream sources – others need quite specific support from professionals and organisations. As with all aspects of sexual health, information, self-expression, safety and opportunity are key.
A New CD-ROM for people with learning disabilities and information is available on the website in an easy read version.
As well as some full-on campaigning, It's My Right is the platform for the launch of fpa’s new user-friendly interactive CD-ROM for people with learning disabilities/difficulties called All about us. One of the few resources of its kind, All about us explores personal development and knowledge around sex, sexuality and relationships, as a self-study learning tool or with support from a parent, carer or professional.
For general information about Sexual Health Week 2008
Contact: Adam Stevens
Email: adams@fpa.org.uk
Tel: 020 7608 5264
To order fpa's new CD-ROM for people with learning disabilities visit:
www.fpa.org.uk/products/learning_disabilities_publications/
Cost: £19.99
Item 9
Let’s Talk About Sex – new guidance to support young people with life-limiting conditions
UK charity ACT (Association for Children’s Palliative Care) has launched new guidance on sexuality, relationships and sexual health for all those working with young people with life-limiting health conditions, in a bid to open up a taboo subject and to better support these young people to have the opportunity to experience relationships and explore their sexuality, in a safe, supportive and empathetic environment.
In developing this guidance ACT is urging professionals and practitioners working in the field to develop policies, practice and training around relationships and sexual health, and also wants to give parents and carers the confidence, support and resources to help young people explore their sexuality. In developing the guide, one of the co-authors, Peter Wells said:
The inspiration behind putting the guidance together was – for me – to help children’s palliative care services to help themselves in talking about intimacy, sex and relationships with the young people and families in their care. Organisations need to be proactive and willing to talk rather than wait for young people to raise the issue and then for everyone to be confronted with an embarrassing silence.
The guide is available to download free at the ACT website: http://www.act.org.uk/content/view/153/1/
Developments in strategies and policy
Meetings, Conferences & Events
Item 1
Children and Young People with Disabilities & Special Needs:
IDEAS INTO ACTION
Interconnections UK Conference
Wednesday 10th September 2008
9.15 am – 4.15 pm
Regent’s College Conference Centre, Regents Park, London NW1 4NS
Presentations Include:
Making sense of complex service provision: Can we replace the ‘scatter-gun’ response to infants who have multiple needs with a more helpful and cost-effective approach? Peter Limbrick, Independent Consultant and Editor of Family-Centred Support for Children with Disabilities and Special Needs, Interconnections 2007
Fighting for the right to education and care Anna Kennedy, author of ‘Not Stupid’
When a child dies Jenni Thomas, OBE, Founder and President of the Child Bereavement Charity
SRE issues for young people with learning disabilities, for their families, and for those who work with them Jane Fraser, Trainer and Consultant in SRE, founder of Bodysense
Team Around the Child in Rural Australia: Transdisciplinary teamwork in a hub and spoke structure Sue Davies, Consultant and Editor of ‘Team Around the Child: Working together in early childhood intervention’
Costs (including lunch)
1 place: £135 / 2 places: £240 / 3 places: £315 / 4 places: £360 + VAT
To Book
Online at: www.icwhatsnew.com/services/events/IDEAS.htm
Email for an order form: p.limbrick@virgin.net
Tel: 01497 831 550
Item 2
The Children in Care Symposium: Breaking the Cycle of Exclusion and Disadvantage
Thursday 25th September 2008 – 10.15 am – 3.40 pm
One Whitehall Place, Westminster, London
Over the last ten years, from Sure Start to Every Child Matters to Youth Matters and more recently the Care Matters agenda, the Government has sought to improve the outcomes of all children and young people and provide them with the support and protection they need to safeguard their well-being and development.
This special Public Policy Exchange Symposium, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, offers a timely opportunity for local practitioners and stakeholders to discuss the latest initiatives; and consider how they, along with the new legislation framework proposed by the Children and Young Persons Bill will deliver the Care Matters agenda effectively to ensure that every child in care’s potential is fully realised.
09.30 Registration & Morning Refreshments
10:15 Chair’s Welcome and Introduction
10:30 Panel Session One: Making Every Child in Care Matter – Delivering the Promises of Care Matters and the Children and Young Persons Bill
11:15 Morning Refreshments
11:30 Open Floor Discussion & Debate with Panel One
12:30 Networking Lunch
13:30 Panel Session Two: Embedding the Reform Agenda – New Care System Models and Improving Partnership Working Locally
14:15 Afternoon Refreshments
14:30 Open Floor Discussion & Debate with Panel Two
15:30 Chair’s Summary and Closing Comments
15:40 Networking Drinks Reception
Fees
1 place: £295 / £395 per delegate
2+ places: £265 / £345 per delegate
Email: parvin.madahar@publicpolicyexchange.co.uk
Tel: 0208 888 1021
