Agenda item

(1)       Mr Sowerby said that the document “Valuing People” was first published in 2001 and had since been seen as a ground breaking strategy with a clear focus on rights and inclusion.  However, it had not – so far – achieved the transformation that was hoped for of providing “an ordinary life in the community alongside fellow citizens as described by Human Rights Legislation and the Disability Discrimination Act”.  Mr Sowerby said possibly the biggest challenge was making sure that the “Valuing People” policy was delivered across all of England and to help achieve this, “Valuing People Now” identified five big priorities that government wished local people (and government itself) to concentrate on.  (2)       Dawn Johnston and Stephen Chapman then gave a presentation detailing what people have said about the Voice 4 Kent Group and what they would like to see provided in terms of services and support.  They had spoken to a wide range of people with learning difficulties at District Partnership Groups, day centres and Speaking – Up Groups over the past few months.  The priorities which have now been identified in ‘Valuing People Now’ for the next three years include personalisation – so that people have real choice and control over their lives and services; what people do during the day (and evenings and weekends) – helping people to be properly included in their communities, with a particular focus on paid work; better health – ensuring that the NHS provides full and equal access to good quality healthcare; access to housing – housing that people want and need with a particular emphasis on home ownership and tenancies; and, making sure that change happens and the policy is delivered.

(3)       During the course of discussion, Oliver Mills said that there needed to be change across the board and helping people to lead independent lives.  Stephen Chapman said that people can find it difficult to find suitable accommodation or to get help in adapting their existing accommodation to meet their individual needs.  He also said that some care managers were not always aware of what was available in the way of help.  In answer to a question about what one thing he would want to see improved, Stephen said that helping people into employment was a key issue.  On another point, he agreed that there was now more educational choice than had once been the case.

(4)       Oliver Mills referred to paragraph 2 (3) of the report which set out the proposed response to the consultation.  Mr Carter said that the County Council needed to put forward a robust response and he would wish to speak further with Cabinet colleagues before this was finalised.  Mr Carter then thanked the Members of the Voice4 Kent Group for attending the meeting.  He said he found their views very enlightening and they raised issues which the County Council needed to consider very carefully.  He said he would like the Group to come back to a meeting of Cabinet in about 12 months’ time to an update on these issues and what changes had the Group seen in that time. 

(5)  In noting the recommendations set out in paragraph 4 of the report Mr Carter said he wish to speak further with Cabinet colleagues before a response to the consultation was finalized.