Summary of Valuing People Now – January 2009
Introduction
What’s the same:

VPN reiterates the original 2001 principles of rights, independence, choice
(control) and inclusion. People are people first, with opportunities,
responsibilities, dignity, respect, aspirations and life chances; and Human Rights
are emphasised.

The conclusions are similar to the consultation document launched in December
2007, with reordered priorities.
What’s different:

VPN aligns itself with recent policy – Putting People First, Independent Living
Strategy, PSA 16, Carers Strategy, Aiming High for Disabled Children, The
Children’s Plan – and provides an effective response to Healthcare for All.

It has taken account of over 10,000 responses to the consultation – specifically,
to give higher priority to making sure everyone benefits from VP, including the
generally most excluded groups; and to recognise the contribution of carers.
VPN is divided into 5 main chapters, which are sub-divided.
Chapter 1: Including Everyone
All people should be valued and able to live as ‘empowered citizens’ rather than
‘passive recipients of care.’ Particular emphasis is given to people with complex needs
and specific mention made of people from BME communities, people with autism and
offenders. Children and young people are also highlighted and family carers ‘expert
patients’ who may need their own support.
Chapter 2: Personalisation
All people should have greater choice and control, and support to develop a PCP. Tied
in with Putting People First, a more flexible use of resources is needed to meet different
needs and lifestyles. Person-centred approaches must increase and should result in
improved outcomes – e.g. transport, leisure, education, health, housing, community
safety, criminal justice; access to information and advice. Self-directed support for
people with complex needs is emphasised but also use of ‘community resources’ for
people ineligible for social care funding.
Chapter 3: Having a Life
Better Health – People with LD generally have the greatest health needs but worst
health access and outcomes. VPN aims for full inclusion, reduced inequalities and for
people to get the healthcare and support needed to be healthy. Each of the 10
recommendations made in Healthcare for All are accepted or affirmed.
A home of your own – Over half of people with LD live with their families, including older
carers. Little choice is available about where people live, unlike the general population.
Settled housing reduces social exclusion and costs. Mainstream housing policies will
become more inclusive and the HB system may be reviewed. People will be given
informed choice about where and with whom they live and should be made aware of the
different types of housing support available.
Work, education and getting a life – People should have a fulfilling life beyond services.
There should be better planning, including at transition. Local authorities must take on
the LSC’s further education remit from 2010. A government Employment Strategy is due
in Spring 2009, which will contain a ‘presumption of employability.’ Support to access
Summary of Valuing People Now – January 2009
paid work, including for people with complex needs, is needed. The strategy Getting a
Life, aimed at young people with severe LD, is being piloted.
Relationships and having a family – As a Human Right, People with LD are entitled to
have relationships; to be (and remain) parents; and to receive appropriate support to do
so. Local authorities are encouraged to intervene in an integrated way, as set out in
Think Family.
Chapter 4: People as citizens
Advocacy – All people with LD should be enabled to speak up and be heard on big
decisions and everyday choices. Advocacy services should be able to demonstrate the
positive difference they make. VP will target resources to help self-advocacy leadership,
BME advocacy and complex needs advocacy.
Transport – People should be able to use public transport safely and confidently. It is
vital to connect people to their networks. There should be joint DfT/DH work and action
at PB level to ensure transport programmes and plans include people with LD.
Access to leisure services and recreational activities – There are many ways in which
mainstream services are inaccessible. This will be addressed by greater person-centred
approaches at local level and work by the DH and DfMCS.
Being safe in the community and at home – Joint work between government
departments and other agencies will produce a Government Hate Crime Strategy.
Revised No Secrets guidance will be produced after consultation with people with LD.
Access to justice and redress – People should be able to live as equal citizens and
receive protection from the law. There is government, care sector and local
responsibility to increase understanding of rights and redress. VP will help PBs engage
with crime and disorder partnerships. The CPS will develop new policy to prosecute
crimes where people with LD are victims or witnesses.
Chapter 5: Making it happen
Leadership and delivery structures – There are clear expectations about leadership
roles nationally, regionally and locally, including a new National LDPB. People with LD
and carers must be involved in all aspects of ‘Making it happen.’
Partnership Boards – LD partnerships should exist beyond the formal meeting. Each PB
must provide progress reports to the regional programme board. More effective PBs are
usually led by the Director of Adult Social Care with the authentic involvement of selfadvocates and carers. The VP team will help PB benchmarking of progress and
encourage good PBs to mentor the bad.
Better commissioning – There is responsibility to plan, review and commission peoplecentred services. Commissioning must achieve good outcomes and be accountable to
the PB, JSNA, local strategic partnerships and local area agreements. The PB supports
people with LD and carers to be involved.
Developing the workforce – Development will continue through the National Adult Social
Care Workforce Strategy (2009) and moves for staff to attain relevant qualifications,
values, skills and knowledge. Personalisation change management is a key element.
Measuring performance and data collection – LD will be part of health and local
authority performance frameworks, within the context of modernising LD data. The new
Comprehensive Area Assessment (2009) will focus on quality of life outcomes. A VP
summary of how performance frameworks relate to LD is expected in spring 2009.
The Deliver Plan – VPN has published a separate Delivery Plan document, providing
the structures, actions, timescales and resources.
Key policy objectives 2009-12 – From the areas above, 15 objectives are produced.