Dept of Health

The Department of Health has launched a new pilot scheme, Jobs First, to support people with learning disabilities to find paid jobs.

The Department of Health has issued a circular to local authorities in England to give them an update on the progress of Valuing Employment Now and to remind them of the need to maintain investment in supported employment services.

The Department of Health has published a summary of responses to its consultation on a strategy to support adults with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC).

The Department of Health is consulting on the rules for making direct payments as well as proposals for setting up and evaluating direct payment pilots. The consultation will run until 8 January 2010.

The Department of Health has published New Horizons, a consulation document on the future approach to public mental health and well-being in England. New Horizons sets out a new approach to improving well-being for the whole population, aiming for the first time to create a powerful alliance that can target the root causes of poor mental health. The consultation launched today was developed with a wide range of partners.

The Department of Health has launched a consultation exercise as it prepares its first national strategy for adults with autism. The strategy, due to be published at the end of the year, will apply to England only and will cover five areas: health, social inclusion, employment, choice and control, and training. Further background information is available at the National Autistic Society website. The consultation runs from 29 April 2009 to 15 September 2009.

The Department of Health has announced a new strategy to promote mental health and wellbeing. New Horizons will build on the national service framework for mental health which comes to an end this year. Minister, Phil Hope, and Louis Appleby, the National Director for Mental Health, will attend listening events around England to seek views on what the strategy should contain. More...

The Department of Health has issued a good practice guidance note about autism services to commissisoners within primary care trusts and local authorities. It focuses on transition planning, understanding local population needs and service planning.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Deliveringadultsocialcare/DH_097388

The Department of Health has written to Primary Care Trusts asking them to undertake the preparatory work needed to allow health checks to begin for people with learning disabilities. Directions now require PCTs to offer GP practices in their area the opportunity to provide Directed Enhanced Services, including these health checks. More...

The Department of Health have published a document to assist commissioners (including practice-based commissioners), in delivering improving access to psychological therapies services that are effective and appropriate for the whole community.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_090011