| The external
Learning Disability Implementation Advisory Group was set up
to oversee the Welsh Assembly Government's response to "Fulfilling
the Promises" and to provide advice on learning disability
issues. |
Click
here to see an accessible introduction to the group.
|
The
Statement for Policy and Practice
In March 2007 The Welsh Assembly Government launched "The
Statement for Policy and Practice for People with a Learning
Disability" which was written by the LDIAG .
This document lays out a vision for fulfilled lives for
people with a learning disability as integeral parts of
their communities.
|
Health
Checks
 Advice
was provided on the development of All Wales proposals to
introduce regular health checks as part of the local enhanced
GP service arrangements.
The use of annual health checks has
been proved effective by several studies in Wales to identify
existing and new health needs of people with a learning disability.
In the PEARL project phase I, undertaken by Prof Mike Kerr,
approximately half the patients who opted for a health check
were identified as having unmet health needs, of which 17%
were classed as "serious".
|
The
Advocacy Grant scheme
The LDIAG contributed to designing
the application process and assessing the applications made.The
Welsh Assembly Government's Advocacy Grant Scheme began in
2003. Money was paid through BILD. The Advocacy Grant Scheme
was to end in March 2006.The scheme has led to the creation
of independant advocacy groups who are not dependant on money
from the local authority that they may wish to challenge.
BILD has completed a report into the scheme which the LDIAG
has discussed. The group have recommended that the scheme
continue for another five years. Read the November
2005 newsletter to find out in more detail and read the
group's letter
to the Minister.
The Minister decided January 2006
that the scheme the Advocacy Grant Scheme should continue
for a further two years from 2006-07 and that the main part
of the grant resources should be applied to sustain the
activity of existing grant recipients. To find out in more
detail read the Minister's
letter.
|
|
 in
the summer of 2005 the LDIAG contributed significantly to
the production of 'Service
Principles and Service Responses'.
Read here
It set out what local authorities should
provide for people with a learning disability, so they themselves,
their parents and carers know exactly what they should be
getting. This guidance focuses on the person with a learning
disability, putting their needs at the centre. Copies of the
guidance are available from Alyson Collins, a member of the
group's Secretariat, at the Welsh Assembly. Tel: 02920 825441
or e-mail: alyson.collins@wales.gsi.gov.uk
The Welsh Assembly issued 'Service Principles
and Service Responses' as their strongest level of guidance.
Local authorities were then allocated money out of a £7million
fund over three years to implement their planned changes. |
|
Provide
Advice
 The
group provides advice and views on a range of diverse issues
to the Welsh Assembly such as speech and
language services for Children and Young People; the draft
Mental Health Bill proposals; the Children's National Service
Framework consultation; person centred assessments within
the statutory assessment process. |
