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1 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................... 3
Summary .......................................................................................... 4
Topic : Health
To continue to work with Health Services and Groups to
have a voice. ............................................................................... 7
Continue to work with local health services to ensure people
with learning disabilities have access to accessible information
for health...................................................................................... 9
Topic: Employment
Ensure Job Centre Plus is able to provide appropriate
support and opportunities to people with learning disabilities. .... 11
Support people with Benefits and Work Capability
Reassessments ......................................................................... 13
Prepare people with learning disabilities for employment
through volunteering and gaining skills and qualifications.
Work with local groups such as Swale Volunteer Centre,
Castle Connections and Sheppey Matters ................................. 15
Topic : Personalisation
To enable people with learning disabilities to have more choice
in their care and support. Promote Person Centred thinking
and direct payments. ................................................................. 17
Topic : Keeping Safe
Support the Roll-out of the Shop-Safe Scheme across Kent. .... 19
Promote Internet, Social media and Mobile Phone Safety
and awareness ......................................................................... 21
2 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Raise awareness of Disability Hate Crime and bullying and
help people feel safe ................................................................. 22
Community Safety and Road Safety. Work with Kent Fire
and Rescue and the Community Wardens to promote road
safety awareness for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists .............. 24
Topic : Housing
Identify how many older family carers have made provision
for future housing needs of those they care for. ......................... 26
Look into increasing awareness of housing needs for people
with learning disabilities. Working with local agents and
housing charities and organisations to find suitable housing ...... 29
Topic: Citizenship
To find out if people are able to access Arts and Culture
opportunities in Kent. ................................................................. 32
Create a film on the importance of voting ................................... 34
Topic: Transition
To find out what is important to young people and children
and their carers and family during transition .............................. 35
Who we have worked with over the past year. ............................... 37
3 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Introduction
East Kent Mencap supports the District Partnership Groups in
Ashford
Canterbury
Dover
Shepway
Swale
Thanet
It is part of the Kent Valuing People Partnership, a group of
organisations who support Kent County Council to make Valuing
People happen.
Each District Partnership Group has a District Valuing People Worker
who works with people to make the District Annual Plan happen. Caz
White is the Valuing People District Worker for Swale.
District Partnership Groups look at the 6 main things within Valuing
People Now:
Health
Employment (jobs and getting ready for work)
Where people live / housing
Being in control of your life (Personalisation)
Citizenship
Young people becoming adults (Transition)
4 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Summary
The District Partnership Group (DPG) has been talking to lots of people
to find out what is working well for people with a learning disability and
their families and what is not working very well. This information has been used to decide the projects for the District Plan.
This year DPGs have also worked together across Kent on a number of Kent-wide projects.
The District Partnership Group has met 4 times this year. In-between
these meetings a Planning and Checking Group has been working with
people with learning disabilities, family carers, support providers,
community groups and public services on the District Plan projects.
Members of the DPG have also been supported to be part of the Kent
County Council Valuing People structure including Delivery Groups that
work on projects for the whole of Kent.
Kent Delivery Groups are open to everyone. Please contact your DPG
Valuing People District Worker if you would like more information on
these and how to become involved.
The DPG has been working with health services to make sure people
have good information about staying healthy and can use health
services easily.
DPG Members have provided feedback to the Kent Good Health Group
on access to National cancer screening programmes.
The DPG continues to support people to access easy read health
information.
The District Partnership Group continues to represent the DPG at public
engagement meetings with Health Service Providers.
5 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
The DPG continues to promote employment for people with learning
disabilities. DPGs across Kent are working with Job Centre Plus and
the Department of Work and Pensions to provide services that meet
people’s needs.
Information about changes to benefits is also made available through
DPGs.
Information and support to find housing continues to be improved.
People have also been encouraged to think about their future and
where they might want to live.
Following last year’s event for family carers, DPGs across Kent will be
holding open sessions for carers about planning for the future.
We have continued to support members of the DPG to think about
personalisation and the choices they make about their lives.
There have been some changes made to how direct payments are
agreed. The DPG worked with Direct Payment Co-ordinators to make
sure these changes were explained to people.
DPG members have been speaking up as citizens and through the
District Partnership Group regularly have opportunities to tell Kent
Police about things that make them feel unsafe in the community.
The DPG represents people’s views at the Kent Keeping Safe Delivery
Group.
The DPG was awarded some funding from the KCC Community
Members Grant to help people prepare for the General Election. Over
50 people attended Voting Workshops to learn more about voting. The
Electoral Services Officer also came to a DPG meeting to tell people
about the need to register to vote.
6 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
The DPG has continued to share information with local special schools
supporting young people during transition.
Across Kent the DPGs tried to collect information on what young
people thought about their transition reviews through an on-line
survey. We had very limited feedback to the survey and this was
reported to the Kent Becoming an Adult Group. The Becoming an
Adult Group is now working on this to find a better way to gather the
information.
East Kent Mencap are planning transition events at Special Schools
from October 2015.
Swale DPG will set the 2016 District Plan by July 2016.
7 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Health
To continue to work with Health Services and Groups to have
voice.
Why we did this
People with learning disabilities still felt that they were not understood
by doctors and health professionals. They did not feel involved in their
care or health services.
The DPG wanted to enable people with learning disabilities to be
listened to so that medical professionals and commissioners would be
more aware of their and their family’s needs.
What we did:
Swale DPG continues to be a member of Swale CCG. The District Worker
supports 4 people to attend the Listening Post meetings each month.
We have shared information with DPG members about changes and
services such as the new out of hours GP services and Changes to
Minster Hospital.
The DPG held a Health workshop for Kent County Councils “Health
Improvement Service, Tell Us what you think” consultation.
The workshop was attended by 8 people with learning disabilities and 3
support workers.
We held an Easy Read Health workshop attended by 2 support workers,
1 NHS Health Trainer, 2 members of the Kent Community Healthcare
NHS Trust Patient Engagement Team and 12 people with learning
disabilities.
8 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
We looked at the Easy Read “My Personal Health Plan” to see if we could
understand it.
People thought it was very good as it encouraged them to look at their
lifestyle. The Group talked about ways they could change their lifestyles
to improve their health. It also suggested places and people that people
with learning disabilities and their families could go to for help with their
health and wellbeing, including mental health.
What has happened as a result of this work:
“It makes a change to be listened to”
“I normally don’t understand long forms but this one has pictures and I
understood it”
Good relationships are being established between the DPG and health
service providers.
Swale DPG District Valuing People Worker is now a Healthwatch
Champion for Healthwatch Kent. Information and experiences reports at
DPG meetings are now shared with Healthwatch Kent.
Healthwatch have attended 2 DPG meetings and explained what they do.
People with learning disabilities know that they have someone they can
ask if they need help or advice with a medical issue.
9 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Health
Continue to work with local health services to ensure people with
learning disabilities have access to accessible information for
health.
Why we did this work
People with learning disabilities said that they needed help understanding
how to stay healthy.
What we did:
Held 6 weekly sessions with the Health Trainer based around healthy
eating and exercise. 6 people with learning disabilities and a support
worker attended each session.
Worked in partnership with the Oral Health Promoter to hold an Oral
Health workshop which was attended by 12 people with learning
disabilities and 2 support workers.
Following this the Oral Health Specialist returned twice to keep in touch
with people who had attended the session. and followed up questions and
queries.
Held a DPG event called New Year New You which included a session from
the Health Trainer about food and how it affects our bodies and brains. We
also had food tasting of alternative healthier foods and drinks.
The Integrated Commissioning Project Managed explained about changes
happening in health commissioning.
10 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
What happened as a result of this work:
“The game that the Health Commissioner did was fun”.
By developing contacts in the Health Service and Community Learning
Disability Team through the DPG people have been encouraged to get the
help and support they need to stay healthy.
Health staff are attending DPG Planning meetings and quarterly DPG
meetings to listen to what people with learning disabilities have to say
about keeping themselves healthy.
Health Trainers in Swale have asked Swale DPG to be involved in their
team meetings.
The Health Trainer has asked to work more closely with Swale DPG on
specific issues such as diabetes, weight management, the Eat Well Guide
and mental health.
People with learning disabilities are more aware of the labelling in foods
and drinks and what to avoid if possible. They are more aware of the
possible health risks associated with an unhealthy lifestyle.
Carers and people with learning disabilities have asked to have on-going
information and support to make the right choices and understand food
labelling so they can make healthy choices.
11 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic: Employment (Kent wide target)
Ensure Job Centre Plus is able to provide appropriate support
and opportunities to people with learning disabilities.
Why we did it
To support Job Centre Plus to make reasonable adjustments to assist
people with learning disabilities to access the Work Experience Programme available.
To raise awareness among employers offering work experience of the
support people may need.
To make sure that people accessing work experience know what to expect from their placement.
To inform people with learning disabilities of the services available at
Job Centre Plus and try to remove myths people have about working, the Job Centre etc.
What we did
DPGs worked with DWP and Job Centre Plus to produce easy read
information about the Work Experience Programme available for people
with learning disabilities and to promote the opportunity locally.
KVPP supported Job Centre Plus to develop an easy read “Employment
Passport” giving details of support people may need, support employers
will provide and what people can expect from their work experience.
In consultation with self advocates, designed and produced resources to
help people with learning disabilities communicate with staff at Job
Centre Plus.
12 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
What has happened as a result of this work
Easy read resources have been produced to support the Job Centre Plus
Work Experience Programme.
The Work Experience Programme has been promoted to people with
learning disabilities in Swale.
Swale DPG will continue to work with Job Centre Plus to hold and
Employment Workshop in 2016
13 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Employment
Support people with Benefits and Work Capability
Reassessments
Why we did this work:
People with learning disabilities living without support were struggling
to complete the benefit forms and attend assessments.
What we did:
Swale DPG has supported 5 people who have been reassessed as “fit
for work” or “fit for limited work” by the Job Centre.
Support has included:
Accompanying the person with learning disabilities to the Job Centre
for their initial interview/assessment and subsequent interviews.
Reminding and telephoning people to make sure they have “signed
on”
Liaising with East Kent Supported Employment Coordinator about
work placement.
Provision of a reference and coaching for a job interview for a person
with learning disabilities.
Support to a volunteer who had problems regarding their behavior by
liaising with the employer and the person with learning disabilities to
resolve the problem.
14 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
What has happened as a result of this work:
“I don’t know what I would have done without your help”
“You have changed my life and hopefully I will be able to use the back
dated money to get my own flat now”
5 people with learning disabilities have had access to the support they
needed with their assessments.
2 people who were not happy with their work placement were supported
to get the right support they need from Kent Supported Employment.
2 people with learning disabilities and 2 family carers were supported
with DWP Benefits and PIP/DLA queries.
One person with a learning disability who was in financial difficulty due
to the changes resulting in a £30 per week reduction was supported to
contact debt advisers and CAB.
One person with a learning disability who was working part time was
supported to understand their DWP benefits better and to apply for the
PIP benefit which has helped them financially.
We will continue to work with the Job Centre and other organisations
and develop good relationships to support people to understand the
benefit changes and Work Capability Assessment.
15 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Employment
Prepare people with learning disabilities for employment
through volunteering and gaining skills and qualifications.
Work with local groups such as Swale Volunteer Centre, Castle
Connections and Sheppey Matters
Why we did this:
The DPG wanted to enable people to be prepared for the
work place.
Many people with learning disabilities want to work but
need extra help to achieve this.
People said that the training courses, work placements
and volunteering jobs need to be something that they can
cope with and are suitable for people with learning
disabilities and communication difficulties.
What we did
Engaged with local groups to help people access free
training and computer courses for people with learning
disabilities and their families.
We worked with Swale Volunteer Centre, Castle
Connections, Sheppey Matters, Together Your Way,
Response and Swale Community empowering Network to
find suitable courses.
16 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
What has happened as a result of this work:
“Getting the award has made me proud. Volunteering
has given me lots of skills and improved my
confidence”
3 people with learning disabilities were supported to
attend and pass their Level 1 Food Hygiene and Safety
Course.
One carer with communication difficulties has been
provided information and encouraged to attend courses
in interview skills and a customer services courts, to help
them get a job.
1 person with learning disabilities and 2 support workers
attended the British Sign Language Course at Sheppey
Matters.
2 people with learning disabilities have been introduced
to the training suite run by Together Your Way at
Sheppey Matters to learn vital computer skills to enable
them to look for work.
Swale DPG has been liaising with Skillnet Group about
employment issues as they run a weekly session in
Sittingbourne Job Centre on preparing CVS. 3 members
of the DPG with learning disabilities attend the group.
Swale DPG has promoted the benefits of volunteering by
working with Swale Volunteer Centre ,Swale Borough
Council and local employers. We helped promote
Volunteering Week last year in Swale. One of the
members of the DPG received an award for her
volunteering work in the Pulse Café.
We supported a Volunteer to attend two volunteers events at Seashells
17 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Personalisation
To enable people with learning disabilities to have more
choice in their care and support. Promote Person Centred
thinking and direct payments.
Why we did it
Many people with learning disabilities felt that their care and support
was not flexible enough.
What we did
We held 2 workshops in Residential Care and Day Care settings to
find out what people with learning disabilities thought about their
care and support.
We promoted person centred thinking and asked if people were
happy with their care, support and day support.
What has happened as a result of this work:
“I’m very happy here the staff don’t nag me all the time. They help me
get out and meet up with my family which is important to me”
People felt that they had personalised support and examples of this
were:
They were able to have lie in’s at their care home.
Their care home had arranged for them to volunteer in at a Dog
Recue Centre.
People had used their direct payments to get support volunteering
in the community.
Service users had set up their own photography club with support
from support workers of their Day Centre.
Care Services did take clients out very late at night if they wanted
to go out.
18 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Everyone present said they were happy about the people who
supported them and their key workers were matched to fit their
needs.
Everyone present had a person centred plan and they were able
to change it when they needed to.
All of the carers and support workers had been on person
centred thinking training and were more aware of individual’s
needs and preferences.
Although everyone seemed happy there were some comments
about individual support not taking clients out late at night (after
10.00pm).
People seem to have a good understanding of what to expect from
person centre care and we will continue to promote and monitor
person centred thinking.
19 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Keeping Safe (Kent wide target)
Support the Roll-out of the Shop-Safe Scheme across
Kent.
Why we did this
Many people with learning disabilities wanted to feel safe in their
community when they were out and about.
To make the success of the Shop Safe Scheme in Dartford
available to people across the rest of Kent.
To have one scheme operating for people across Kent regardless of
where the live or where they require help.
What we did
KVPP have been in discussion with KCC, Kent Police and Dartford
Borough Council to try and identify a central point of contact to
hold information across Kent.
Swale DPG held 4 workshops across Swale and asked 43 people
with learning disabilities to think about where they would feel
comfortable asking for help.
Together with Kent Police, we explained to people with learning
disabilities and their carers how the Shop Safe scheme works.
What has happened as a result of this work:
The discussions about who can hold the information are
continuing.
We hope to have a decision on this soon.
20 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Everyone at the workshop thought the Shop Safe Scheme was a good
idea.
Further work needs to be done on the project in partnership with
Swale Borough Council, Town Centre Management, Local Shops and
businesses, The Community Safety Partnership and Kent Police to
- Encourage premises to sign up to be part of the scheme
- Distribute window stickers to premises who sign up to the sceme.
- Promote the scheme to people with learning disabilities and their
carers when it is implemented
21 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Keeping Safe
Promote Internet, Social media and Mobile Phone Safety
and awareness
Why we did this
Family carers and support workers had raised concerns about people
with learning disabilities’ safety due to inappropriate friendships and
messages through Facebook and their mobile phones.
It is important that people with learning disabilities know how to stay
safe when they are online as they can be more trusting and not able to
understand hidden messages.
What we did:
35 people with learning disabilities, support workers and other
professionals attended a DPG interactive Internet and mobile phone
safety workshop delivered by Kent Police
What happened as a result of this work:
Everyone at the meeting who used social media said that they would
be more careful and change their security settings.
After discussion about inappropriate friendships, 2 women who used
social media to meet up with men said that they would not do it again
as it was dangerous.
A support worker said that she now recognised that some of the stuff
she put on facebook wasn’t appropriate because of the job she is in.
There was positive feedback at the meeting but people felt the
message about internet and mobile phone safety needs to be
regularly reinforced as internet abusers are becoming more
sophisticated.
The DPG will be working with Kent Police over the next year to provide
a workshop about online and telephone financial scams.
22 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Keeping Safe
Raise awareness of Disability Hate Crime and bullying and
help people feel safe
Why we did this
Many people with learning disabilities said did not feel safe when they
were out in the community. They sometimes felt bullied because they
had a learning disability.
MCCH/Tizard research into Hate Crime and Bullying showed the
majority of cases were not reported to the Police.
Kent Police said they needed more cases reported so they could deal
with local hotspots and patterns.
By education and raising awareness of the consequences people may
be less likely to bully and more likely to treat people with learning
disabilities with respect.
What we did
We had a Community Safety event delivered by Kent Police, Kent Fire
and Rescue Service and Community Wardens.
They explained how to keep safe and what to do if you were in a
situation that felt unsafe.
20 people attended a DPG event in partnership with Jigsaw Project,
about Disability Hate Crime and Bullying.
We showed the MCCH film Hidden Consequences and promoted it
throughout the DPG.
23 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
MCCH explained the work they were doing with Kent Police and other
organisations to tackle Hate crime and bullying. As a result we held a
workshop with MCCH for 8 people with learning disabilities and 2
support workers about bullying. We had fun dressing up and did role
play to reinforce the message.
What has happened as a result of this work:
People generally felt that they were more aware of the help available if
they felt threatened or in danger. They knew that it was important to
tell someone.
Support workers and carers were more aware of what a Hate crime is
and what to do if the people they support are victims of it.
People understand the importance of reporting crimes to the Police
MCCH want to further develop the project by having Reporting Hubs
where the staff are trained to help with bullying issues. Swale DPG,
East Kent Mencap Sheppey and MCCH have agreed to set this up for
this year
24 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Keeping Safe
Community Safety and Road Safety. Work with Kent Fire and
Rescue and the Community Wardens to promote road safety
awareness for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists
Why we did this
One person with learning disabilities in Swale had been injured by a
cyclist as she was wearing headphones and didn’t hear the bell.
One resident of a Care Home had stopped going out on her own as she
was nearly run over by a car.
Support workers had raised concerns that some people with learning
disabilities that they supported were easily distracted by phones and
music and it was causing them to be unsafe when crossing roads.
Kent Fire and Rescue wanted to work with us to promote their SELFIE
campaign to raise awareness of the distractions caused by phones for
pedestrians, motorists and cyclists
What we did
Kent Fire and Rescue attended our DPG and showed 21 people with
learning disabilities a film about the consequences of bad road safety.
They also showed us how be safe when we were walking about and
crossing the roads.
25 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
What has happened as a result of this work:
Some people with learning disabilities thought the video was scary.
People learnt about the consequences of accidents.
Kent Fire and Rescue will be working with the DPG to develop road
safety among people with learning disabilities. They will have a special
Road Safety Experience training suite which the DPG will be able to
access to help people learn about road safety.
Some individuals may need special one to one support to give them
more confidence or safety awareness when going out and crossing
roads.
26 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Housing (Kent wide target)
Identify how many older family carers have made provision for
future housing needs of those they care for.
Why we did it:
It is important to plan for the future.
Care Managers had told us that sometimes carers are hard to reach and
haven’t got the future planned out and Carers and their families need
support.
We wanted to encourage carers to get involved in the DPG to help them
by sharing information and services available.
We wanted to direct Carers to Carers Support where they can access lots
of information, services and advice.
What we did
Invited parent carers in each District to share concerns about future
housing needs/provision for the person they care for.
Arranged a meeting for carers at the Healthy Living Centre Café however
which was attended by 3 carers.
The District Valuing People Worker attended 2 drop in sessions for
carers run by Carers Support at Minster Hospital.
The District Valuing People Worker met up with & carers of people with
learning disabilities individually at times that suited them to go through
the questions.
We asked them to share concerns about future housing needs/provision
for the person they care for.
27 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
We gathered information on whether people are
- On the housing Register
- Have the information they need to make decisions on e.g. estate.
- Know where to seek assistance to make provision for future needs.
- Find out from carers where they would like to be able to go to get the
information they need
- We identified how many people have their future plans arranged
already or are experiencing barriers or need help.
We engaged in a two way partnership with Carers Support. The Swale
representative attended all of our DPGs and had an information stall at
them for carers.
The DPG District Valuing People Worker share their information materials
and referred people to them.
By signposting carers to Cares Support we know that
Swale Carers support
- helped 2 carers get the respite they needed sorting out.
- reassessed a carer who was also looking after her mother as well as
her daughter with complex learning disabilities that has just been
discharged from hospital. She now has additional support for her
mother and respite.
- helped speed up an application for a shower chair now so she
doesn’t hurt her back trying to hold her daughter up in the shower.
- Helped a carer with mental health problems get the counselling and
support they needed.
2 carers told us there were not PC literate and they found it difficult to
access information and services.
8 carers were PC literate and find it useful and less time consuming
when information was online
28 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
All carers said it was important to have someone they could ring or see
face to face if they needed help.
Swale DPG has made vital contacts during this project (Care Managers,
Carers Support, Carers and their families, medical professionals) and we
intend to continue working with Carers Support to make sure that carers
feel valued and are supported in their role.
29 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic : Housing
Look into increasing awareness of housing needs for people
with learning disabilities. Working with local agents and
housing charities and organisations to find suitable housing
Why we did this
Many people with learning disabilities are looking to be more
independent but have said there are not enough 1 bedroom flats or
houses available from the council or housing associations.
We wanted to work with agencies such as Swale Borough Council and
Housing Associations to get more help and information about how to get
suitable housing for people with learning disabilities.
What we did
At two Planning meetings we discussed housing issues and found out
what peoples experiences were.
Kent Pathways spoke to us about their life skills courses for people with
learning disabilities that helped them to be more independent.
We helped 2 people with learning disabilities get onto the Housing
Register Homechoice and register with Amicus Horizon
The District Valuing People Worker spoke to people with learning
disabilities about independence and housing and asked them their views
and for their experiences. We looked at local papers and Rental Agents
to see what was available.
30 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
What happened as a result of this work:
We discovered that:
- 2 people with learning disabilities kept getting offered one bedroom
accommodation which was too far away eg Margate and Ramsgate
- Many private landlords did not accept people on any DWP benefits.
- Some landlords accepted a guarantor if someone was on benefits and
had the deposit and fee.
- There was a shortage of one bedroom places that were suitable for
someone with learning disabilities.
- Some of the places accepting DWP/ Housing Benefit claimants were
not regulated and in a poor area and in poor condition. Someone
vulnerable could be at risk.
- Private landlords charged a tenancy fee, arrangement fee and deposit
(some non-returnable) which can amount to over £1000.
- Private Landlords usually charged more than the applicable amount
paid by Housing Benefit. That means that people on Housing Benefit
may have to use their other benefits to top up the shortfall.
Swale Borough Council have encouraged us to look at house sharing in the
private sector.
CASA support could sometimes offer help with deposits but the proposed
new housing had to be a necessity or emergency.
People with learning disabilities felt that the support and help was
available to move out and live more independently. Care Managers,
support workers and others helped their clients register and bid on
Homechoice
There was they said a lack of suitable one bedroomed housing in Swale.
One person with learning disabilities said she had been bidding for 2 years
to finally get the place she wanted. Her Care Manager helped her.
31 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
People with learning disabilities were worried that they could not afford to
live on their own.
Some said they wanted somewhere they could learn living skills before
they were independent. There was a lack of spaces and there were waiting
lists for places like this too( East Kent Mencap Halfway Bungalow)
The DPG would like to build a relationship with private landlords and show
them that people with learning disabilities can be good tenants in their
property.
Two adults with learning disabilities have talked about house sharing. The
District Support Worker will support them to work on this process in the
next year.
32 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic: Citizenship (Kent wide target)
To find out if people are able to access Arts and Culture
opportunities in Kent.
Why we did this
To find out if what was available and whether people with learning
disabilities are able to access art and culture and have a good experience
when visiting them.
What we did
Twelve DPG members were supported to visit a selection of museums,
historical and cultural attractions in Swale to see if people with learning
disabilities are able to access them.
The Group looked at how easy it was to find the attraction, the access and
customer services and whether any adjustments are offered to help people
with learning disabilities to access them.
We shared our findings with staff at respective venues to help them think
about adjustments that may improve access or the experience of people
with learning disabilities.
We promoted local museums, galleries and cinemas to people through the
District Partnership Group networks.
What happened as a result of this work
2 places were completely unsuitable for people who had difficulty walking
and were not near any bus or train routes.
All of the staff at all the venues we visited were very helpful and made us
feel welcome.
33 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Staff said they tried to make their venue as accessible as possible for
people with learning disabilities and other disabilities but they were
limited by funding
1 museum mentioned volunteering opportunities for people with learning
disabilities. Swale DPG are currently helping support someone with
learning disabilities get a volunteering role at the Rose Cottage in
Sheerness.
A report of all the venues visited across Kent is available on the Kent
Learning Disability Partnership Board website.
34 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic: Citizenship
Create a film on the importance of voting
Why we did this work
Following the success of the DPG workshops on voting to support the
General Election in 2015 we wanted to use information, film and photos
collected to continue to promote voting.
What we did
East Kent Mencap worked with Campaign Films to produce a film
showing how people were supported and encouraged to vote in the 2015
General Election.
The film called Hear My Voice in Kent included people’s experience of
learning about democracy at the DPG workshops, the Hustings event and
Election Day.
What has happened as a result of this work
The film has been used to remind people about the importance of voting
at future elections.
The film is available to watch on YouTube and was shown at DPG
meetings and the Changing Kent Communities film screening.
Hear My Voice in Kent can be seen at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuNqaHt6V-0
35 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Topic: Transition
To find out what is important to young people and children
and their carers and family during transition
Why we did this
Parents and carers and young people with learning disabilities need
help making the right choices during transition
Swale DPG found young people and children difficult to reach and
encourage to get involved in the DPG
What we did
3 representatives of Swale DPG went to Meadowfield’s Moving On
event and promoted the DPG and made contacts there.
Swale DPG made contact with and engaged with 2 parents and one
teacher/carer and her daughter at Meadowfield though East Kent
Mencap’s Community Hub and a DPG.
Swale DPG helped support a carer and her daughter though transition.
We put them in the right direction for help and advice they wanted
about issues such as
Behavioral problems affecting the whole family, Respite care, funding
for day services/direct payments, help for other siblings who were
family carers, choices for further education.
We promoted the DPG at Sheppey Matters Rural Youth project. They
run a youth club for young people with disabilities including learning
disabilities. 1 member of the DPG volunteers there every week and we
have been asking young people about transition and what is important
to them
36 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
What has happened as a result of this work:
Most young people were interested in the DPG and getting involved
but meetings were held when they were at school or college.
Young people wanted advice about relationships and sexual health.
Young people felt that there wasn’t enough to do in their spare time
(organised activities and clubs).
The parents told us they got excellent help and advice through
transition.
Swale DPG wishes to try and engage more young people and will try to
think of other ways such as events in the holiday and events at the
school’s youth clubs for the next year.
37 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2015-16
June 2016
Who we have worked with over the past year.