The government is reviewing whether disabled people in England should be allowed to claim more than the current £30,000 cap under the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The grant, which helps fund essential home adaptations like wet rooms and stairlifts, has not seen an increase in its upper limit since 2008. This review follows a legal challenge brought on behalf of a six-year-old boy with autism and additional needs, whose family requires £100,000 to extend their one-bedroom home in Tower Hamlets, far exceeding the existing cap.
The review, expected to be completed by spring, will assess the impact on disabled individuals unable to afford vital adaptations due to the £30,000 limit. In 2018, a previous report recommended the cap be raised in line with inflation, highlighting that the current amount often falls short of the actual costs. While some councils provide additional funds, the amounts vary significantly by area, leaving many families struggling to meet their needs.
The boy’s mother described their living situation as inadequate for her son’s specific requirements, urging that the review bring meaningful change for families like hers. Disability charities, including Leonard Cheshire, have echoed calls to raise the cap, emphasising the grant’s importance in ensuring disabled people can live with dignity and independence.
The Department of Health and Social Care reaffirmed its commitment to supporting disabled people, pointing to an £86 million increase in DFG funding next year, which aims to fund nearly 8,000 additional home adaptations. However, it remains uncertain whether the review will lead to a formal increase in the grant’s upper limit.
A recent survey has revealed that 81% of councils are projected to overspend their adult social care budgets by March 2025, marking the highest level of overspending on record. The trend has worsened over the past three years, rising from 63% in 2022/23 to 72% in 2023/24. Conducted by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass), the survey captures responses from 131 councils in England with social care responsibilities but does not account for the financial pressures of the Autumn Budget.
Increases in the National Living Wage and National Insurance contributions, announced in the Budget, are expected to exacerbate financial challenges for councils and care providers. Care England, representing adult care providers, has warned that these cost hikes could lead to care home closures, prompting calls for social care exemptions from National Insurance increases. Mencap’s Executive Director, Jackie O’Sullivan, criticised the £600 million sector funding as insufficient, with estimates suggesting double that amount is needed to meet rising costs.
The survey also highlighted a growing need for in-year savings, with 35% of councils required to make cuts, compared to 19% last year. Planned savings for 2025/26 have surged to £1.4 billion, raising concerns about the ability to invest in workforce, prevention, and unpaid carers. Adass President Melanie Williams described the sector as being at "breaking point."
The financial strain is particularly worrying for vulnerable people reliant on social care. O’Sullivan stressed that without urgent action, care workers, already struggling on low wages, will bear the brunt, with people with learning disabilities feeling the greatest impact. Adass and care charities are urging the government to collaborate on sustainable funding solutions to address the worsening crisis.
New research published in BJPsych Open has revealed substantial inconsistencies in service provision for people with epilepsy and learning disabilities across England. A study examining nine Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in the Midlands found that many areas struggle to accurately identify the population with these needs, making effective service planning difficult. The report also highlighted challenges in recruiting and retaining staff with the specialised skills necessary to support these individuals.
One in five people with a learning disability also have epilepsy, a condition associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality. However, past studies have shown that these individuals often face fragmented care and poor risk management. The Step Together project was developed to address these gaps, providing a structured toolkit for assessing and enhancing care quality.
In this study, ICSs in the Midlands were invited to assess their services using the toolkit, which scores performance across areas like workforce, care planning, and information sharing. Results showed a regional average score of 44.2%, indicating room for improvement, with some systems scoring as low as 23.8%. Planning and care transition scored particularly low, reflecting challenges in supporting seamless care transitions from childhood to adulthood.
The authors note that the toolkit serves as a valuable catalyst for change by helping healthcare teams quickly identify areas for improvement and foster collaborative efforts across departments. While implementing such tools can be challenging in an already stretched healthcare system, the report underscores the urgent need for consistent, person-centred care to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and improve quality of life for those with epilepsy and learning disabilities.
A reimagined version of Cinderella, specially designed for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities, is set to open in London. Titled Sensory Cinders, the show will run from 2 to 5 November at Soho Place, marking a groundbreaking first for the West End, according to its creators, the Hull-based charity Concrete Youth.
This unique adaptation is described as a “significant step” toward fostering inclusivity. Featuring a blend of sensory-focused materials, an original musical score, and reworked characters and plotlines, Sensory Cinders offers a fresh take on the classic story with a strong emphasis on identity, self-expression, and magic.
Concrete Youth’s chief executive, Daniel Swift, highlighted the lack of tailored cultural experiences for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, calling this production “a historic moment” in addressing this gap and advancing inclusivity within West End theatre and beyond.
Directed by Belle Streeton, Sensory Cinders has been developed in collaboration with The Civic, Barnsley, and Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough, with support from Sheffield Theatres and Arts Council England. Streeton expressed excitement for audiences to experience the passion and dedication poured into this show, which aims to create a memorable experience for all.
