2018-06-28 10:13:11
Hft calls for cross-party action following publication of committee report
Hft, a national charity that supports adults with learning disabilities, has reacted to the publication of a joint report published yesterday by the Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Health and Social Care Committees on the future of adult social care.
The charity had previously submitted written evidence as part of the Committees’ consultation process. Hft raised concerns over funding pressures facing the learning disability sector, and the lack of clarity surrounding the role of learning disabilities in the government’s parallel body of work on adult social care.
Billy Davis, Public Affairs and Policy Manager at Hft, commented:
“This is an important report which has been published at a critical time for social care. Learning disabilities accounts for over one third of adult social care spend in England, so it is disappointing that the report only mentions the sector in a passing reference. It seems something of a missed opportunity for the Committees not to explore adult social care in its entirety.
“That being said, Hft shared the report’s concern over the Green Paper fragmenting social care into elderly care and working age adults. In our response to the consultation, we called for closer alignment between the parallel body of work and the green paper. We welcome the fact that this report calls for greater clarity around the parallel body of work, and for increased inclusion of support for working-age adults within the green paper.
“The challenges facing social care are bigger than one political party and will take longer than one parliamentary term to achieve. In our view, the time for consultation is over. Urgent and decisive action is now needed to save a sector which the CQC describes as ‘at a tipping point’.
“We therefore echo the report’s call for cross-party consensus on social care reform, and look forward to working with both the government and opposition parties in creating the brightest possible future for adults with learning disabilities.”
Read the full report on ‘Long-term funding of adult social care’ on parliament.uk.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
