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May 2007

Deputy Chief Exec speaks at launch of learning disability coalition

Steve Inch, Deputy Chief Executive of the New Dimensions Group, yesterday spoke at the launch of the new Learning Disability Coalition, which comprises ten large organisations in the learning difficulty sector.

Steve, who was speaking at the event as a representive of ARC, of which he is the chair, said that the sector has a long way to go before we are really helping people with learning difficulties to live the lives they want.

He says: "Are we truly "improving the life chances" of people with a learning disability? The answer of those of us who have come together to form the Coalition has got to be: no…or not enough. We believe that the financial pressures on local authorities are leading to cuts in services for some people. For others, it may mean, no service at all.

"Our belief is that the statistics produced by Local Authorities and the Valuing People Support Team show that we need to completely change the way we fund services to reflect the increasing numbers who need them.

"We are not asking here for more money to do the same job, we are saying that the nature of the job has changed because of the Government's policy ideas and also the size of the job is changing. It cannot be done on the basis of old calculations – we need to take a fresh look.

"For the first time, the Coalition brings together different parts of the learning disability sector. Its aim is to work alongside central and local government to make things happen. Together, we can succeed. We would say to Ministers – work with us to make your promises a reality."

For more information about the Coalition, go to www.learningdisabilitycoalition.org.uk.