VODG Winter newsletter 2017/8
Welcome to the VODG Winter newsletter. In this issue find out more about:
- VODG on the funding campaign trail
- our focus on tackling health inequalities
- the latest analysis on Brexit
- coming up
VODG on the funding campaign trail
VODG's True Costs: why we cannot ignore the failure in social care funding describes how successive governments’ failure to properly fund social care is leaving millions of people at risk of losing vital support. Ahead of the Autumn Budget our report gave Government a stark warning that the chronic under-funding of social care must be reversed. The Chancellor's statement failed to tackle social care with the likely consequence of continued levels of unmet need.
VODG has also been campaigning for a fair settlement for services in relation to essential sleep in cover which for too long has been ignored by Government. We are assisting members with sector intelligence and peer support in relation to this issue, including via our professional networks.
Tackling health inequalities
VODG continues to champion the promotion of health inequalities across our membership and the sector more widely. The heath charter for learning disability providers has been revised, and the STOMP for social care healthcare campaign continues. While a new resource ‘Preparing to visit a doctor’ aims to equip social care staff to plan with an individual a review of their psychotropic medication and is available in Easy Read format.
Service and registered managers met to address health inequalities and heard from speakers, shared learning and good practice and made a pledge about the improvements they plan to make. The social share is available here.
Further analysis on Brexit
Brexit will undermine support for disabled people unless the government shores up the voluntary social care sector, according to VODG’s latest analysis. Risks and rights: how social care can survive Brexit illustrates the negative consequences for social care once Britain leaves the EU, such as a loss of EU care workers. It also suggests practical solutions to avoid further instability in the sector. The report calls for government to urgently focus on the issue, given that the exit from the EU coincides with an existing crisis in social care.
VODG chief executive Dr Rhidian Hughes said: “Social care is already under enormous pressure, so the fresh challenges created by Brexit demand full and focused attention. Since the decision to leave the EU, VODG has consistently lobbied government and has monitored the risks and consequences for the sector. Now we need firm assurances from government that social care remains on its radar. The government must work with us before and after Brexit to safeguard the sector’s future; we have to ensure that support for disabled people is not undermined.”
Read more about our work on managing sector risks and issues on our campaign page.
Our networks and events
VODG works on behalf of its members to influence and promote positive developments in the sector. We create the conditions that enable providers to collaborate. Our programme of regular networks offers space to explore issues and ideas and new ways of working across a number of professional disciplines. (Read more about our networks here.)
Our annual conference brought together member chief executives and senior directors to hear and debate with sector leaders and parliamentarians. Read the event roundup and download the resources from our annual conference which included plenary presentations from Professor Tom Shakespeare and Lord Low as well as a theatre performance by Mixit.
Alongside our members' networks we have held peer support sessions on GDPR - Time to Get Real - and co-hosting a VODG occasional seminar with Dr Nan Carle Beauregard on leadership in turbulent times.
Coming up
Our news pages and @VODGmember on Twitter includes the latest sector news and information, including on our lobbying and campaigning activities. Look out for the write up following our recent event on the future of civil society and disabled people's services, our ongoing work to tackle health inequalities, including STOMP for social care, and news about VODG's plans for the year ahead.
