Is the Government really Valuing People Now?

In the light of the government detailing its priorities for people with learning disabilities for next three years, charities have had a lot to say about the new proposals.

Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis launched a cross-government consultation called Valuing People Now - From Progress to Transformation, which talks about priorities in services for people with learning disabilities, focussing on health, housing, training, employment and inclusion.

As a follow-up to the white paper, Valuing People, which was published in 2001, the government builds its vision around the principles of human rights, independence, personal choice in daily life and inclusion in the community.

Focus on Five Key Areas

1. The government is planning to make services more individualised, putting people with learning disabilities in control of their finance through direct payments.

2. There is also a focus on getting people into work programmes, as a way of involving them more in the community.

3. Fair and equal access to healthcare will also be a priority.

4. Better access to the housing people actually want, including encouraging more people with learning disabilities to reside at home with the help of supported living.

5. Perhaps the most vital part of the government's plan, and the most important aspect to charities, is ensuring that real change happens for people with learning disabilities, with services and attitudes vastly improved.

Call to Action From Care Minister

The Care Services Minister is now urging people with learning disabilities and their support systems to step up and make their voices heard regarding what they want from life.

"People with learning disabilities have a right to live independently as equal citizens in our society. Valuing People represented a major step forward in policy and has led to many improvements for some people with learning disabilities in some parts of the country. However, our challenge now is to make independent living and equal citizenship a reality for all people with learning disabilities in every part of the country," Mr Lewis said.

"Valuing People Now retains the fundamental principles of Valuing People while seeking to secure transformation over the next few years on issues such as housing, employment, access to mainstream NHS Services and maximum control and choice for people with learning disabilities, and where appropriate carers over their support.

"I urge people with learning disabilities, their carers and front-line professionals to respond to this consultation over the next three months so the final strategy can achieve a major revitalisation of the Valuing People agenda and reflect peoples every day aspirations and experiences," he added.

Charities Hail the Proposals

Dame Jo Williams, co-chair of the Learning Disability Coalition and Chief Executive of Mencap, spoke on behalf of many other learning disability organisations when she said:

"This is a much-welcomed step forward to ensure Valuing People really makes a difference to the lives of people with a learning disability. It is particularly good news as it puts the individual in control of their care.

"Next Steps aims to give real teeth to the original 2001 Valuing People report, which aimed to make the lives of people with a learning disability and their families better. All government departments and local authorities must make sure they really get behind Valuing People Next Steps, if it is to fulfil its potential to genuinely improve lives."

The only voices of dissent have come from organisations which say that although the proposals look good on paper, the government may never deliver on its promises.

However, even those with a negative view have urged people to become actively involved in the consultation in order to achieve the best outcome for people with learning disabilities.

The consultation will run until March 11th 2008 and Department of Health will publish a report by the summer.