The Welsh Government is committed to improving the lives of people with a learning disability. This commitment is based on the foundation established by the 1983 All Wales Mental Handicap Strategy and the Revised Guidance published in July 1994 and reaffirmed by the Welsh Government Cabinet in June 2002.
It was recognised that there was a need to provide a clear statement of intent for the 21st century and the Learning Disability Advisory Group was commissioned to provide advice to the Welsh Government on a framework of services. The work undertaken by the Learning Disability Advisory Group is summarised in the document Fulfilling the Promises.
The intention was to build on the achievements gained through the 1983 All Wales Mental Handicap Strategy and the 1994 Revised Guidance. Although considerable progress was achieved in Wales during the 20 years following the original strategy, it was recognised that further development was required if people with a learning disability were to be as independent and productive in society as possible. As a key part of its response, the Welsh Government subsequently issued the Section 7 Guidance on Service Principles and Service Responses for Adults and Older Persons with a Learning Disability.
The current Learning Disability Implementation Group (LDIAG) was set up in 2002 to oversee the Welsh Government's response to "Fulfilling the Promises". The group’s remit is to ensure that learning disabilities remain high on the agenda in Wales. It also advises the Welsh Government on learning disability issues and promotes the rights of people with learning disabilities.
Its members come from all sectors of the learning disabilities field including people with a learning disability, parents and carers, representatives from education, health, local authorities, research, the voluntary sector, service providers and individuals.
The group aims to build on the Welsh Government's vision for the future set out in the 2007 Statement on Policy and Practice for Adults with a Learning Disability.
“All people with a learning disability are full citizens, equal in status and value to other citizens of the same age. They have the same rights to:
- live healthy, productive and independent lives with appropriate and responsive treatment and support to develop their maximum potential
- be individuals and decide everyday issues and life-defining matters for themselves joining in all decision-making which affects their lives, with appropriate and responsive advice and support where necessary
- live their lives within their community, maintaining the social and family ties and connections which are important to them
- have the support of the communities of which they are a part and access to general and specialist services that are responsive to their individual needs, circumstances and preferences.
In 2009 the LDIAG submitted a draft Action Plan to the Welsh Government based on the new Statement on Policy and Practice for Adults with a Learning Disability. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, Welsh Government chose not to issue the Action Plan. However, the Deputy Minister for Social Services did highlight six action points from the draft plan that Welsh Government wanted to take forward:
- establishment of a learning and information network
- liaison between LDIAG and LDAN (Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research Group) to consider ways to improve links and inform the research work in a more structured way
- development of a minimum data set for learning disabilities
- improve the availability of accessible information for people with learning disabilities
- development of a health and social care charter for people with learning disabilities and their families/carers
- learning disability awareness training for public services staff across Wales.
Members of the group then decided that the LDIAG in its current format had come to a natural end and that a new group should be set up to take forward the Deputy Minister's action points. The LDIAG met for the last time in September 2010 and the Deputy Minister agreed to set up a new group with a new remit, membership and co-Chairs.
Currently this site is being re-structured. Any queries, please contact Sam Williams via e-mail: samantha.williams@learningdisabilitywales.org.uk