August 2009
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.
Run by the Association for Real Change, ARC with a grant from the Dept of Children, Schools & Families.
Previously funded by Diana Memorial Fund / Vodafone UK Foundation.
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
Giving us a Voice: New project funded by DCLG for tackling race inequalities for people with Learning Disabilities from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Groups
ARC, BILD and Mencap
Tackling Race Inequalities Fund. A joint bid made by ARC, BILD and Mencap to produce a Charter for Inclusion for people with learning disabilities who use services and their families from BAME communities has been accepted.
Giving us a Voice is an 18 month project working right across the country starting in October 2009 to involve users and carers from these communities in regional meetings to inform local policy makers about what they need and expect from services. There is clear evidence at present that services are not reaching these communities and their families, who are effectively excluded from local participation by lack of contact, language difficulties and the belief that no-one will listen. Giving us a Voice is a systematic way of tackling this problem and challenging local statutory bodies and providers to sign up to the ‘Charter for Inclusion’ which he project will produce from meetings with users and families. 8 Regional Summits will also inform future decision – making about services for this group and encourage participation in local consultations.
Speaking for the partnership of the three organisations, James Churchill the Chief Executive of ARC said
“BILD, Mencap and ARC are delighted that DCLG have recognised the needs of these excluded groups and have supported our joint bid. We look forward to seeing all local authorities hearing clearly from the Giving us a Voice regional groups and supporting the Charter for Inclusion. This is a major opportunity to help local people who have historically been excluded join in and have their voice heard about what kind of services are needed. Here is a real opportunity to improve participation and the better understanding of exactly what some people really need in services.”
Item 2
Resource: Mixed Up Kids?
Race, identity and social order
Tina G Patel
Transracial adoptees, mixed-parentage children, children of settled immigrants families …. Increased numbers of children are growing up in mixed-race families and social environments. Yet services for them are based on outdated and problematic ideas about essentialised racial identities, and the supposed need for children to commit fully to one of these identities (usually the black minority ethnic one) in order to minimise identity problems and experiences of discriminiation.
This book asks:
Why essentialist ideas about a singe identity tend to dominate
What the consequences are for those who actively choose not to identify themselves as having one singular racial identity
How policy and practice can be improved
Paperback: £18.95
ISBN: 978 1 905541 38 6
To read more or to order: www.russellhouse.co.uk
Item 3
Resource: Understanding Interracial Relationships
Toyin Okitikpi
Interracial relationships in the UK are no longer a novelty. However, there remains strong interest in the nature of these relationships, in the motivations that drive them and in the experiences of the children that are born within them. Sometimes this interest is articulated as concern and prejudice, both in society and within the helping professions.
This book provides an analysis of the experiences of the people involved in such relationships, and explores the implications for anyone who works with them. For consellors, social workers and others involved in work with families and children, it also illuminates learning and research in these areas.
Contents include:
Introduction – looking at interracial relationships
Historical context – looking back to look forward – a brief history of Black people in Britain – the changing relationship – racial mixing
Making sense of people’s experiences
Managing interracial relationships
Looking beyond boundaries
Paperback: £18.95
ISBN: 978 1 905541 53 9
To read more or to order: www.russellhouse.co.uk
Item 4
Transport Guidance: supporting access to positive activities
Department for Children, Schools and Families
In response to the call from young people, their parents and their communities to provide funding for enjoyable and exciting activities in their local area, this new guidance is for Local Authority children’s trusts and transport planners to help them to plan transport provision so that young people are able to access positive activities in their area.
The key messages that have emerged during the course of this work to address transport as a barrier to young people’s participation in positive activities are:
Joint planning between children’s trusts and transport planners from an early stage;
Reviewing and revising existing arrangements across a number of policy areas to provide a holistic approach to young people’s transport needs;
The importance of a single over-arching strategy to flexibly harness the range of transport within the existing LA fleet (such as community transport);
Involving young people and those who support them in transport planning;
Publicising transport information alongside information on positive activities and youth services;
Using discretionary powers on transport to develop a `transport offer’ for young people which supports better outcomes against PSAs/National Indicators;
Communicating clearly the basis of any concessionary transport agreement between the LA and young people including behaviour contracts;
Linking transport planning with planning for new facilities;
Regularly reviewing transport routes, availability of transport and cost against the changing landscape of activity and service provision;
Exploring the potential for corporate/commercial bus company contributions towards the cost of concessionary fares for young people.
This guidance is the result of collaborative work between The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), The Department for Transport (DfT), The National Youth Agency (NYA) and a range of stakeholders from local authorities (LAs), third sector organisations and young people.
The full report is available to download at:
http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/DCSF-Transport_ Guidance.pdf
Item 5
Resource: We Can Dream
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
With the right support young people with autistic spectrum disorders can express creative ideas, dreams and hopes for their future. One way of doing this is to use person centred planning. Person centred planning is a way of planning all aspects of a person’s life. The person is at the centre of the planning process and with support decides who they would like to help them and who can help them make the plans possible. This approach is particularly useful at transition because it gives young people a chance to say what their hopes and dreams for the future are.
This booklet is for young people and their families, friends and supporters to read and talk about together. It is based on the stories of four young people. It is hoped that it gives good ideas about what to do when leaving full-time education. It is not always easy to bring about changes – but with careful planning, time and the right people to help, things can happen.
To order or to download for free, visit:
http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/publications/?entryid5=32524
Item 6
KIDS publish new Short Breaks Procurement Guide
Written with the Council for Disabled Children and commissioned by the DCSF
KIDS and the Council for Disabled Children have issued a practical guide for local authority managers and commissioners involved in seeking tenders for short breaks contracts. Through simple and practical advice, this short guide seeks to provide insight into how authorities can avoid pitfalls in their tendering processes and ensure that the market is able to respond with high quality proposals. The guide draws on the experience of KIDS and other children's charities and is aimed at supporting the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme.
For further details or to download a copy of the guidance go to:
http://www.kids.org.uk/information/102834/kids_publish_new_short_breaks_procur ement_guide/
Item 7
WATS! We’re all the Same!
Grapevine
WATS! stands for ‘We’re all the same!’ and is for young people with and without learning disabilities.
The aim is for young people to get together and have a good time each week. WATS! wants to show that young people enjoy the same things and want YOU to help change people’s ideas about what makes us different and what makes us the same.
To find out more email WATS! at: w.a.t.s@hotmail.co.uk
Or visit: www.myspace.com/watsame
View the ad and song at: www.youtube.com/watsame
Tel: 024 7663 4114
With funding from the Camelot Foundation Grapevine is bringing young people together on equal terms to examine and tackle myths and prejudices:
Awards are available of up to £500 to those ‘graduates’ from this experience who come up with the best ideas of their own to tackle negative attitudes.
National partners, the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, will help with evaluation of impact on young people’s attitudes and shared learning across the country.
http://www.grapevinecovandwarks.org/wats.aspx
Item 8
Resource: All About Feeling Down
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
This booklet is for young people with learning disabilities aged 14 to 25.
The booklet is about what you can do if you feel down. As young people grow up, changes can feel hard to deal with. But there can be exciting times too. Everyone has ups and downs, especially about growing up.
ISBN: 1 903645 395
£2 to order or can be download for free at:
http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/publications/?esctl526505_entryid5=1464 4& q=303425%C2%ACAll+about+feeling+down%C2%AC
Item 9
Resource: You Are Not Alone
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
These guidelines have been written for parents and carers of young people with learning disabilities who want to know what help is available if their son or daughter develops an emotional health problem, and how they might go about getting that help.
To order by telephone: 0207 803 1101
Or download for free at:
http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/publications/?esctl526505_entryid5=2236 3& q=303425%C2%ACYou+are+not+alone%C2%AC
Meetings, Conferences & Events
Item 1
Personalised Solutions for Young People – Professional Briefing
MacInyre
24th September 2009
MacIntyre School, Wingrave, Leighton Road, Wingrave, Buckinghamshire HP22 4PA
Coffee and registration from 9.00am Starts at 10.00am – Ends at 1.00pm
It is recognised that support for young people with learning disabilities needs to be creative and flexible. Young people with complex needs can benefit from bespoke education solutions rather than trying to fit in to traditional classroom settings, while all those in transition need support that maximises independence and choice.
MacIntyre is hosting a professional briefing for social work and commissioning teams that seeks to stimulate debate and generate effective solutions that meet the needs of young people.
If you are interested in attending, or would like further information, please contact Ann Bailey on 01296 681274 or by e-mail: ann.bailey@macintyrecharity.org
Item 2
The Dynamics of Race & Institutional Racism
Unpacking mainstream institutional thinking & approaches
Developing effective strategies for change
Wednesday 9th September 2009
10.00am – 4.30pm
H&F Carers Centre, 182 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7DJ [nearest underground: Hammersmith]
A ONE DAY Programme featuring: Analysis | Discussion | Support & Networking In partnership with Communities4Change
Aims and Objectives:
Understanding nature & dynamics of Race & Institutional Racism
Analysing concepts and approaches: ‘Community Cohesion’; ‘Diversity’ within mainstream
Developing Effective Strategies for Change
Connect participants to a network of Critical Friends for ongoing support for their own strategies for change & intervention.
Who is it for?
This event is for those who are interested in understanding or driving community based and professional interventions to tackle inertia on racial equality and build a collective to challenge institutional racism and make public bodies responsive and accountable to all our communities.
The event is for those working in mainstream agencies; generic services or community groups who want to bring about tangible and sustainable change to programmes designed to deliver equality of services and outcomes.
The day is designed to promote and negotiate professional and personal commitment to making practical interventions within participants’ own contexts which have discriminatory practices and approaches in governance, service planning or delivery.
Cost:
Statutory bodies £65
Grant aided organisations £40
Self-supporting (non-funded) groups £15
More information: http://www.mentalhealthequalities.org.uk/events-and-training/conferences-and-e vents/ understanding-nature--dynamics-of-race--institutional-racism/
Item 3
Skills Junction: Voyage into Volunteering
National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
A chance to find out all about the exciting projects Skill has to offer, and how you can benefit from getting involved.
Thursday 27th August 2009 Drop in any time between: 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
The Pirate Castle, Oval Road, Camden NW1 7EA (3 minute walk from Camden High Street)
Pick up tips on making video’s, writing CVs, volunteering and much more.
The event is funded by v and only young people aged 16-25years can attend.
They can sign up by emailing anna@skill.org.uk or by using the link on our website http://www.skill.org.uk/
Skills Junction – voyage into volunteering.
NOTE: A Social Enterprise Group are wanted to run a stall at this event – if you are interested, please contact Hannah Lawrence directly on: 0207 450 0631
