Direct payments should only be used to employ close relatives in exceptional circumstances, social services directors urged in response to a government consultation.
Source: Discussion Document - Policy and Practice Guidance to support the Community Care, Carers and Children s Services (Direct Payments) (England) Regulations [2002], Association of Directors of Social Services (020 8741 8147)
Links: Response | Community Care article | Draft regulations (pdf) | Consultation Document (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
The government launched a 'Wheelchair Services Collaborative', aimed at achieving 'significant improvements' in National Health Service wheelchair services. The project will bring together 45 services (out of the total of 151 in England), representing over 375,000 registered service users.
Source: Press release 27.11.02, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release
Date: 2002-Nov
From 28 October 2002 carers aged 65 or over can make a claim for invalid care allowance: but the allowance will still overlap with retirement pension.
Source: Important Information for Carers: Changes to the Help Available, Carers UK (0808 808 7777) and Department for Work and Pensions
Links: DWP press release
Date: 2002-Oct
A disabled woman and her husband were awarded 10,000 damages under the Human Rights Act in a landmark case before the High Court, after being forced to live in a 'wholly unsuitable' home.
Source: Community Care, 29.10.02
Links: Community Care article | BBC news report
Date: 2002-Oct
Disability campaigners said that new measures to standardise local authority care charges in England and Wales are inadvertently causing further inequities, and penalising disabled people who cannot work.
Source: Charges for Community Care Services: A Guide for Disabled People and Carers in England and Wales, Disability Alliance (020 7247 8776)
Links: DA publications page
Date: 2002-Sep
Researchers examined the numbers and social characteristics of disabled refugees and asylum-seekers, together with their experiences and those of service providers. Unmet personal care needs, unsuitable housing and a lack of aids and equipment were found to be common.
Source: Keri Roberts and Jennifer Harris, Disabled People in Refugee and Asylum Seeking Communities, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 962
Date: 2002-Sep
A report presented findings on the number and distribution of British Sign Language/English interpreters and interpreting agencies; deaf people believe there is a need for increased provision of information in BSL.
Source: David Brien, Richard Brown and Judith Collins, The Organisation and Provision of British Sign Language/English Interpreters in England, Scotland and Wales, In-House Report 102, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Aug
The government began consultation on proposals to increase the number of community care recipients who receive direct payments (equivalent to the value of care services).
Source: Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996: Draft Policy and Practice Guidance: Consultation Paper, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Aug
The Lord Chancellor's Department reportedly confirmed that it is examining the possibility that patients injured by medical negligence could be denied legal aid, under a government review of the cost of litigation against the National Health Service. Disability campaigners called for the right to legal aid to be retained.
Source: The Independent, 21.10.02 | Press release 21.10.02, Scope (020 7619 7341)
Links: Article | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 2.3
Date: 2002-Aug
A consultation document set out a national strategy for mental health services in England for people of all ages who are deaf or deafblind.
Source: A Sign of the Times: Modernising Mental Health Services for People who are Deaf, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Jul
A study found that Asian disabled people and their families lack confidence and trust in community care service provision, leading to low take-up of services.
Source: Ayesha Vernon, User-Defined Outcomes of Community Care for Asian Disabled People, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 752
Date: 2002-Jul
A new book summarised current knowledge and research about direct payments in the United Kingdom, and considered developments in other European countries. It identified good practice in the area and explores the implications of direct payments, both for service users and for social work staff.
Source: Jon Glasby and Rosemary Littlechild, Social Work and Direct Payments, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 5.4
Date: 2002-Jul
A study examined peer support groups for young black and minority ethnic disabled and deaf people.
Source: Tracey Bignall, Jabeer Butt and Deepa Pagarani, Something to Do : The Development of Peer Support Groups for Young Black and Minority Ethnic Disabled People, Policy Press for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: JRF Findings 762
Date: 2002-Jul
A report highlighted weaknesses in the services received by people with multiple and severe impairments.
Source: Roger Mattingly, Supporting People with Multiple Impairments, York Publishing Services (01904 430033)
Links: None available
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 5.4)
Date: 2002-Jun
Measures to improve entitlement to invalid care allowance (renamed as carer s allowance ) were approved by Parliament.
Source: Regulatory Reform (Carer s Allowance) Order 2002, Statutory Instrument 1457, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Statutory Instrument
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 5.1)
Date: 2002-Jun
A study showed how users can play a more central role in service reviews, based on a project looking at direct payments to disabled people.
Sources: C. Evans and A. Carmichael, Users' Best Value: A Guide to User Involvement: Good Practice in Best Value Reviews, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: JRF Findings 592
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 10.2)
Date: 2002-May