Tuesday 3.12. 2017
Who was here:
Marcia Lawman (co-chair, PB rep) / Lynda Awan (Speakeasy)George Hooper (The café project) / Geoff Belsham (Basingstoke Mencap)
Alison cooper (Parity for disability) / Jo Olford (HCC)
Teresa O’Connell (Ways into work) / Becky Beechen (Ways into work)
Pip Redding (SAIL) / Lizzie Meager (HCC)
Laura Timms (HCC) / Rosemary Goodrich (Member HAPB, carer)
Helga Firth-Bernard (parent/carer) / Leon Major (rep)
Nicky Bishop (Speakeasy) / Lee Dausha (Leon’s co-worker)
Florence Garland (admin)
Apologies: Mo Rowe, Linzi Holt, Ian Penfold, Tania Peckham, Stuart Vail, Fi Biggs, Ann Barker, Bernard Pearcey
Notes of the last meeting and matters arising
Connect to Support: there were some issues noted in some of the LIGs so Flo has referred them to a team member who will have a look. In the meantime, if there are issues, please use the feedback button and let the team know.
Christmas:
Leon said there was a party in the office.
Mencap did Robin Hood panto.
Pip Redding
Telephone: 0330 822 0282
Note: Key Ring is the provider for this area
www.keyring.org
3 different strands in the service to promote independence:
1 – referrals: currently via adult services (but will be accepting referrals from Hants Direct soon) – up to 26 weeks, 1:1 support
2 – Drop-in each week. As per leaflet. No appointment needed, just turn up. A team member will be able to help you with problems with housing, welfare benefits checks, managing your money, budgeting for daily living, getting in touch with health services, issues with drugs and alcohol, managing medication, finding a job, finding a training course, using telecare of assistive technology, finding things of interest in your area, meeting new people and finding friends.
Anyone can drop in including a carer.
3 – telephone support for the whole of Hampshire. The offices are based in Fareham and the service is managed by the You Trust
Ways into work – Becky/Teresa
and Jo Olford (HCC)
http://waysintowork.com/
Ways into Work commenced their Contract with Hampshire County Council in July 2016. Since then two new staff have been employed so there is now a full team.
It is to work with people to find paid employment:
Ways into Work take the approach to “place, train and maintain”
and since July 7 Hampshire people have been supported into paid employment .
Referral is via the Learning Disability Teams HCC. A waiting list is being kept and an Employment Panel will meet every 6 weeks to talk about who is next on the list for Ways into Work.
Ways into Work will support people with their Benefits: they work through “better off” calculations.
The DWP Access to work Grant: is something that Ways into Work make use of to support transport, travel training, equipment or computer software.
Ways into Work can provide on going support.
WORKSHOP:
Jo mentioned the consultation for Making lives better:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/564066/work-and-health-green-paper-easy-read-1.pdf
closing date: 17 February 2017
Notes from the workshop:
· better off calculations concept is wrong as a principle. You should incentivise people to work (and not be better off with benefits) and employers should be incentivised too to take on people with disabilities.
· Cultural change needed – transitional problem
· Why do social services fund an employment programme? Surely, DWP should be responsible for this..
· Good training is needed for people with disabilities
· Employers should be more aware of people with disabilities
· Every employer should have a disability champion
· More qualifications for people with disabilities
· Is there any chance of monitoring what is going on? (% of workforce)
· Some people do not want a paid job but equally people who do voluntary work might want to be paid
· People who do voluntary work are not recognised enough
· Stigmatisation is still there – education for people with disabilities to deal with emotions/stigma/bullying etc
· Government should involve people more positively instead of patronising
· Update us on the pledges made under Valuing People – who is responsible for this?
· More integration, engage with local employers, free disability awareness training. Show case events
· Lack of funding – level 1 is still a valid qualification but where can people be trained?
· Workplace adaptations – national campaign
We mentioned Scott Watkins who we believe still has a role (Dept of Health ?)
T 17 update on external day services providers – Lizzie Meager
Lizzie works with the independent day services (not HCC day services).
There are about 100 providers in Hampshire and those day services are not regulated. There are about 1000 people who attend those day services.
Lizzie has now written a service specification. It is a basic understanding for providers to know what they need to do. Providers will need to sign up to it. It covers enablement, safeguarding, person centred, insurance, DBS checks etc.
Once agreed, HCC will agree to work with the provider. If someone fails the specification, they can re-submit it until they get it right.
Flo has sent the specification via email for information. Any comments, please email
There is currently a review of everyone going to day services. It is a strength based assessment and everyone will be reviewed by March 2017.
There will be a list of providers available hopefully by March 2017. Providers added to the providers’ list after March can be added as and when.
Other things:
It was cold in the hall (due to issues with the heating)
Hampshire LD Partnership Board has been successful, and we have been awarded “Best User-Led Disability Careers Service - South of England”.
Dates for your diaries
The next meeting will be on 14 February 2017 Elizabeth Hall, Hook, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm latest
2017
14 February
14 March
4 April (amended)
23 May
20 June (amended)
18 July (amended)
12 September
10 October
14 November
12 December
Elizabeth Hall, Raven Road, Hook RG27 9HH (room 4).10.30 am to 12.30 pm
free parking
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