Welfare Reform on the Web (November 2003): Services for the Disabled - UK

DEVELOPING INTEGRATED SUPPORT FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE: SOCIAL SERVICES GOING IT ALONE?

M. Wood and J. Leece

Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 11, Oct. 2003, p.39-45

The paper considers recent guidance on social care for deafblind adults issued to local authorities by the Department of Health in 2001. It uses Staffordshire Social Services Department's response to the guidelines as a case study to identify areas of good practice and make practical suggestions for implementation. The guidance places the responsibility for improving provision for deafblind people squarely on social services, rather than including other agencies such as health and education. The paper argues this may be hindering the development of an integrated service.

DEVELOPING SOCIAL FIRMS IN THE UK: A CONTRIBUTION TO IDENTIFYING GOOD PRACTICE

J. Secker, S. Dass and B. Grove

Disability and Society, vol.18, 2003, p.659-674

Social firms are developing rapidly in the UK as a means of providing employment for disabled people. Study examined the kind of enterprise that will best meet the aspirations of disabled people. Indicators of good practice include:

• user/worker participation in the firm's development and operation;
• the availability of expert advice to enable informed choice about payment, with payment at minimum wage rates or above for those who choose this;
• opportunities for workers to develop to their full potential;
• a workforce made up of both disabled and non-disabled workers;
• the involvement of carers and local socio-economic agencies in developing the social firm.