Resources and Links
Please click on one of the links below
		Click here to download our factsheets: Making Decisions - an introduction to the Mental Capacity Act Circles of Support Self-directed Support: direct payments, individual budgets and In Control Getting help and support in your caring role When things go wrong
		Recognising fathers: a national survey of fathers who have children with learning disabilities A new report from the Founation for People with Learning Disabilities argues that current policies and practices often fail to acknowledge or support fathers in their roles as carers. For more information click here.
		E Bulletin for for Learning Disabilities and Family Carers in England The Royal Princess Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care have published their first E Bulletin for Carers. Click here to read it.
		Supporting Learning Disability Partnership Boards to Implement the National Carers Strategy This guidance has been published to support Learning Disability Partnership Boards to get the best from the Carers Strategy. You can download a copy here.
		Flexible Working for Carers The Government Equalities Office has produced some useful information on a carer's right to flexible working. You can read or download the information here. If you would like further information from the Government Equalities Office you can visit their website here or contact them by telephoning 020 7478 7807 or by emailing govequalitiesoffice@trimediauk.com.
		Understanding Personal Health Budgets A booklet from the Department for Health which explains about personal (individudal) health budgets. Download a copy here or visit the Department of Health's website for more information.
		PMLD Networks 'Top Tips for Partnership Boards: How to include people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD)' People who have PMLD have very complex needs and most don't use words, signs or symbols. Because of this they are unable to 'speak up' for themselves on Partnership Boards in the way many other people with a learning disability can. Help change this by getting your Partnership Board to follow these 'Top Tips'. Download the guide here.
		Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) At a Glance Personalisation Briefings SCIE has published useful summaries to help you understand as quickly and easily as possible the important messages and practice advice in SCIE's guides. There are several useful guides, but the latest is Personalisation briefing: Implications for carers.
		Personal Budgets: Opportunities and challenges for the voluntary sector A useful article exploring issues around the introduction of personal budgets including lessons learned from pilot projects and the opportunities and challenges that personal budgets present. Click here to download.
		If you would like help supporting parents who have learning disabilities see www.right-support.org.uk. The website of the Working Together with Parents Network has information for parents with learning disabilities, information and resources for professionals, as well as news of meetings and events.
		Clear Thoughts is a project providing information and support about mental health to people with a learning disability, their families and frontline staff. The project is being undertaken by ARC, the Association for Real Change, with funding from the Department of Health. For news on the project, their bank of useful images, checklists concerning mental health see www.clearthoughts.info.
		On 30th March the Princess royal Trust For Carers launched a new website for professionals working with carers. You can view here.
		Many thanks to Luke Clements - Community Care Lawyer and Professor at Cardiff Law School - who has given permission for his "Community Care Overview" notes to be made available on the NFCN website. The notes which you can download by clicking here, include key references to legislation about local authorities responsibilities to provide services; assessment and eligibility, carers rights and their assessment. Please visit Luke Clements website for more information about his work.
		Valuing People Now The new three year Government strategy for Learning Disabilities has now been published. To read it online or to order your copy please click here.
		House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee has published "Valuing and Supporting Carers: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2007 - 08". The Committee welcomes the Government's plans to replace the current system of benefits for carers with one that will differentiate between the support a carer needs because they have no income, and the support they need because of other costs relating to caring responsibilities. However the lack of a timetable for the reforms is a major concern in times of increasing economic uncertainty. Copies of the report are available, priced £8.00, from The Stationary Shop, visit the website at www.tsoshop.co.uk.
		Individual Budgets Pilot Projects: Impact and outcome for carers The Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York has published this study which investigates the impact of Individual Budgets on carers in terms of assessment, support planning, costs and outcomes. The report and summary are available to read or download by clicking here.
		The Carers Strategy was launched on 10 June 2008. This government strategy sets out the framework for developing support for carers over the next 10 years.  Click here to download the summary or if you would like a hard copy of the full report phone 0300 123 1002 or visit the website www.orderline.dh.gov.uk.
		Click here to see our Network response to Valuing People Now.