Finance

NDTi has published interim findings from research into the cost effectiveness of local authority and NHS investment in employment supports for people with learning disabilities and people with mental health problems.

The initial key findings include that:
* After a period of increased spend, investment in supporting people into paid work appears to have declined in 2012/13
* Many commissioners do not have access to the data they need on services they commission to ensure they are achieving best value for money

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) is working with the Towards Excellence in Adult Social Care Programme to develop practical advice and guidance for council managers and their partners on how to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the resources for adult social care. It has published two reports and a toolkit for councils.

The Government has indicated that it would like to exempt earned income from residential care charge calculations. People in employment who are supported by local authorities in residential care currently have all of their earned income charged to pay for care. This creates a disincentive for individuals to take up employment since the individual is financially no better off working than not working. Government intervention is required to remove the current legislative barriers to people in residential care taking up employment.

The Centre for Welfare Reform has published a report highlighting the disproportionate impact of the austerity cuts on disabled people.

A report produced by Scope, Mencap, NAS, Sense and Leonard Cheshire claims that 100,000 disabled people are or risk soon being denied vital care and support they need to dress, wash, cook, work, study or take part in their community. It estimates that 69,000 disabled people are at crisis point without even basic care. If Government plans go ahead this year, at least another 36,000 could lose the care and support they currently receive.

The Department of Health’s National Prospectus Grants Programme 2013-15 is now open to applications. Applicants are invited to submit proposals to improve outcomes for children, young people and families with a particular emphasis on early intervention and supporting the most disadvantaged.

The funding will provide up to £30 million for each year in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and projects will contribute to policy thinking and delivery on the ground to:
* promote excellence in early education and childcare, so enabling all children to achieve success in their early years and later education;

The Department of Health has published a circular that explains the revised charging arrangements for adult social care services, which should be applied from 29 October 2012. It covers the updated editions of the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide (CRAG) and the Fairer Charging Policies for Home Care and other non-residential Social Services guidance:

Local Authority Circular (DH)(2012)3 http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/10/lac-fairercharging/

Projects across Scotland are set to benefit from £2.7million to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. The funding aims to close the inequality gap that people with a learning disability face.

Initiatives include helping people with a learning disability get back into work, encouraging children with a learning disability to be more active and creating opportunities for participation in lifelong learning.