Inclusion North Bulletin

Issue Number 48
20th August 2013 In this bulletin you will hear about some of the work and information about what is happening across the country.
Find Inclusion North on Facebook and Twitter You can find out more about the all the work we are doing by following us on Facebook and twitter at: Facebook: www.facebook.com/InclusionNorth Twitter: @InclusionNorth

Sound Communication: A fantastic, fun workshop opportunity

For PAs, family members and anyone working with people with learning disabilities or autism in Yorkshire and the Humber. Saturday 2nd November, 10am to 4pm Where? Music Block, York St John University, Lord Mayors Walk, York, YO31 7EX The workshop offers a chance to explore your own skills in communication and ways to develop and enhance other language skills using sound and music. Led by Chris Bartram, highly experienced music lecturer, trainer and community musician. See http://www.livesunlimited.org.uk for more details To book a place email info@livesunlimited.org.uk Or phone 01904 330606

There is a 10 booking fee. Cheques should be made payable to Lives Unlimited, and sent to Lives Unlimited, 15 Priory Street, York, YO1 6ET.

Department of Health Adult Autism Review 2013

In 2010 the Adult Autism Strategy for England, fulfilling and rewarding lives was launched. It aimed to make the lives of adults with autism better in five ways: Increasing awareness and understanding of autism Developing clear ways to diagnose autism Helping adults with autism into work Help local partners develop good services The Department of Health now needs to look at how much progress has been made so it can make things even better. It wants to hear from parents and carers and anyone who has a view on local services and has had experiences they wish to share.

How you can get involved and have your say:

On-line survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AutismStrategyReview Deadline extended to 6th September Or contact Department of Health by email at:mailto:autism@dh.gsi.gov.uk

The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities
This inquiry was funded by the Department of Health and looked into the deaths of 247 people with learning disabilities at 5 Primary Care Trusts in the South West of England. The inquiry shows that the quality of health and social care given to people with learning disabilities was is not good enough and changes are needed to make sure the risk of premature death is made less. A number of free events are being held in the Autumn to discuss the findings of the Inquiry and to look at how to move forward. There are 3 events being held in the North of England. 26th September in Sheffield at the Town Hall 30th September in Newcastle at NHS England 1st October in Carlisle at Bocherby Community Centre Meetings will be from 10am 1pm in Newcastle and Carlisle (Coffee on arrival from 9.30am and a sandwich lunch at 1pm) and from 9.30am -12.30pm in Sheffield (Coffee at 9am and lunch at 12.30pm) Please book in advance to attend as places are limited. For further information or to make a booking please call 0117 3310980 or email mailto: sps-ci-events@bristol.ac.uk

Preparing for Adulthood Countdown

Preparing for Adulthood has been commissioned by the Department for Education to support local areas, including pathfinders, use best practice in transition and post 16 issues when testing the new SEND reforms. The programme has been working with 13 pathfinders around the country. This event provides an opportunity to learn from and input to the learning so far and prepare for September 2014. Date/Location Wednesday 25th September 2013 - Thistle City Barbican, Central Street, London Friday 27th September 2013 - Together Trust, Schools hill, Cheadle, Cheshire Purpose This one-day, free event will focus on Preparing for Adulthood and the SEND reforms. It will help local areas develop their plans and hear stories and learning from the Preparing for Adulthood programme so far. It will provide an opportunity to be updated on the reforms, including the latest on the Bill and Draft Code of Practice and regulations; hear from Pathfinders about what they tried and tested over the last two years; and get information about the most up to date resources that can help you develop local practice and continue to develop your plans to implement the SEND reforms. Booking To book please telephone: 01225 789135 or mailto: events@ndti.org.uk

National Advocacy Conference Be a force for change!

This conference is taking place at an important time when health and social care services are dealing with the aftermath of such terrible things as Winterbourne View and the scandal at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.

This conference will explore the very important role advocates play in shaping services and representing service users when things go wrong. Who should attend? Advocates; Advocacy Managers; Commissioners; Service User Led groups; Peer and Self Advocates; Health and Social Care professionals who work with advocates; Policy Makers; and anyone who wants to be a force for change. Venue: Strand Palace Hotel, London Date: 24th October 2013. Cost: 140 + VAT To book call 01695 51069 or 07876 158 276 or email at: http://www.katemercer-training.com

Discussion Paper from the Law Commission on Insanity and Fitness to Plead
In July 2012, the Law Commission published a paper to find out how the criminal defences of insanity and automatism operates. After getting feedback from this another paper has been published which looks at whether the law has the right tests in place to tell the difference between people who should be held criminally responsible for what they have done, and those who should not. A summary of this paper is available if you click on this link. There is an easy read version.
http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/publications/insanity.htm

Who's Who in the Regions? Do you need to make contact with someone and not sure who the right person is?
The regional VCS network organisations have developed a regional "Who's Who" guide to support voluntary and community sector organisations make contact with people in the new health and care structures in their area, including clinical commissioning groups, health and wellbeing boards, local Healthwatch organisations, commissioning support units, and Care Quality Commission.

Peoples Parliament Event - Durham The Peoples Parliament (Durham) is holding an event on Tuesday 3rd September 2013 at County Hall. The event will start at 9.30am and finish at 12.30pm. The event is aimed at carers and people who have learning disabilities. It will promote the new benefit called
Personal Independence Payment currently aimed to replace the Disability Living Allowance. The day will include a talk from the County Durham Welfare Rights Service about the new benefit replacing the Disability Living Allowance This is a free event and refreshments will be provided. People with learning disabilities and their carers from County Durham and from other areas are invited to attend this very important event.

For more information please contact: Paul on 03000 265519

Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund Launch of National Grant Scheme 2013-14
The Department of Healths Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund (HSCVF) is a creative grant funding programme which helps to build strong communities. The national scheme provides voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) with grants and support. It is expected that 10-15 organisations will be successful in receiving support and funding this year but competition will be strong. A total grant of between 50,000 and 200,000 is available per year over a maximum of 3 funding years and funding for 1 and 2 year projects is also available. Registration and Application process Organisations interested in applying to the HSCVF must register online at http://www.volunteeringfund.com Registration opens on 12th August and closes at noon on 27th September 2013.

Support and communication services for students

Clarion is an organisation that provides support and communication services for students who have specialist needs in colleges and universities. In September 2013 we are launching a new branch of our services, Clarion Student Support for students with specialist needs within the Education sector in the North East, London, South East and Brighton. This will be in Higher and Further Education as well as Adult Education. We need people who are talented at working with students who have the following support needs. Dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia or ADD, Autism and Aspergers syndrome or Visual and Hearing Impairments or Mental Health Issues or Mobility Issues

If you think you have the right qualities to help and are interested in finding out more please get in touch with Sally Chalk on 01763 207900 or sally@clarioncall.net or visit http://clarionstudent.net/

Better health and social care for people with autism help by taking part in a survey!
In 2011 Skills for Care and Skills for Health published a list of autism skills and knowledge to help health and social care workers understand more about autism. The list and information that was published is here: http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/developing_skills/autism/au tism_skills_and_knowledge_list.aspx

They are now very keen to learn if this information has had an impact for people with autism. They carried out a survey last year and have decided to do it again this year. They want to find out if people have seen or used the information and if it has helped them in their work. The survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SfC_AutismSkills2013

Cant get the staff?

Training and information sessions for parents of people with learning disability and autism who employ PAs using Direct Payments or Personal Budgets Direct payments sound like a great idea but where do you get the staff from? How do you make sure they do a great job? How do you use the staff to reach your goals and work towards your dreams? A series of 5 sessions will be led by Liz Wilson, a family carer with many years of experience of person centred working. She will share with you some of the tips and tools of a large support provider in an easy format for family use. All sessions will be 10am to 2.30pm. The sessions will take place on: 21st October Recruiting the right person 11th November Getting the best from your staff 2nd December Ethical dilemmas 13th January 2014 - Keeping it all on track 3rd February Record Keeping This is a partnership project with Calderdale Parents and Carers, funded by Skills for Care.

Places are limited and priority will be given to people who can attend all 5 sessions. For more information contact: Liz Wilson, 07908 669 040 mailto:liz.wilson@dimensions-uk.org Lauren Amber, 01422 343090 mailto:lauren.amber@parents-and-carers.org.uk

If you would like any information on any of our meetings, training or projects you can contact the office on: Tel: 0113 262 6409

E-mail: info@inclusionnorth.org

Or you can write to us at: Inclusion North 191 Belle Vue Road Leeds LS3 1HG

You can visit our website at: www.inclusionnorth.org

Or you can contact any member of the Inclusion North team:

Samantha Clark

Tel: 07823 536 603 Email: Samantha@inclusionnorth.org

Scott Cunningham Tel: 07767 776 125 Email: Scott@inclusionnorth.org

Angela Ellis Tel: 07944 185 771 Email: Angela@inclusionnorth.org

Kellie Woodley Tel: 07876 145 390 Email: Kellie@inclusionnorth.org