British Association for Supported Employment

Social Services (Wales) Bill

The Welsh Government is consulting on a new Social Services Bill. The proposed Social Services (Wales) Bill will provide the legislation required to take forward the change programme outlined in the Welsh Government’s white paper, 'Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action'.

It will also provide, for the first time, a coherent legislative framework for social services in Wales. This consultation sets out our legislative proposals for the Social Services (Wales) Bill in the following areas:

* maintaining and enhancing the wellbeing of people in need;

Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action

National Occupational Standards

The review of newly developed National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Supported Employment is now open for consultation. The standards have been drafted by BASE in collaboration with the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).

These standards would apply across the UK and views will be sought from qualifications bodies within Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We expect that a Welsh language version will be available shortly.

The standards would form a basis for developing workforce qualifications and ensuring that existing qualifications meet the sector’s requirements.

Fulfilling Potential: a new disability strategy

On 1 December 2011, the government announced a discussion with disabled people to gather suggestions for a new cross-government disability strategy.

The Government’s ambition is to enable disabled people to fulfil their potential and have opportunities to play a full role in society. To realise this ambition, we want to tackle barriers to realising aspirations and individual control, as well as change attitudes and behaviour towards disabled people.

BASE submission

Removing the statutory duty to deliver work related learning at Key Stage 4

Submitted by Huw on Fri, 14/10/2011 - 14:53

The Government is seeking views on its intention to remove the statutory duty to deliver work related learning at key stage four. BASE has concerns about the potential impact that this change would have on young disabled pupils given the already low employment aspirations.

The following text is taken from the consultation website:

What works?

Consultation

We're looking for your views on what works and what doesn't in terms of disability employment policy. We're looking for short case studies that demonstrate what's helping disabled people to find sustainable jobs and what's hindering this aim.

The case studies can be anonymous. We don't need names of people or providers - we just want to know how policy is impacting on disabled jobseekers, employees and employers. If you've got a story to tell, please send us a paragraph or two to admin [at] base-uk [dot] org

Consultation launched on Sayce Review

Submitted by Huw on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 18:11

The Government has published a consultation into employment services for disabled people and seeking views on the recommendations put forward by Liz Sayce's review, Getting In, Staying In, Getting On.

Public consultation: Passported Benefits under Universal Credit

Submitted by Huw on Tue, 21/06/2011 - 16:33

The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Minister for Welfare Reform to undertake an independent review of Passported Benefits and provide advice on possible approaches to the provision of Passported Benefits under Universal Credit.

Disability Living Allowance reform

Consultation

The Government has responded to the consultation on reform of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). They have proposed replacing Disability Living Allowance with a new benefit, the Personal Independence Payment.

The Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller, had asked disabled people and their organisations to join the debate on reforming Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

The consultation sought views on the Government‘s proposals to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with a new benefit – Personal Independence Payment.

Govt response to the consultation

Green paper on special educational needs

Submitted by Huw on Wed, 09/03/2011 - 14:33

The Department for Education has published a Green Paper on special educational needs. The paper, Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability, makes wide-ranging proposals to respond to the frustrations of children and young people, their families and the professionals who work with them.

The Green Paper includes wide ranging proposals to improve outcomes for children and young people who are disabled or have SEN, minimise the adversarial nature of the system for families and maximise value for money.

Consultations - request for member views

Submitted by Huw on Fri, 21/01/2011 - 01:00

BASE has a couple of on-line surveys underway. All member agencies have been contacted to request their support in completing a survey on the transition to Work Choice while supported business members have been asked to complete an online survey to identify current and future issues.

Notification of the Work Choice survey was issued to primary contacts at our members on 12 January. The survey has a closing date of 31 January.

Notification of the supported business survey was issued to supported businesses on 17 January and this survey has a closing date of 4 February.