People with learning disabilities in Cornwall have been given extra support to encourage them to vote. On Saturday 15th June 2024, a workshop was held in Truro to explain the voting process and the available support.
Organized by a group of disability stakeholders in the county, the event aimed to ensure the UK's 1.5 million adults with learning disabilities can have their say. Angie Emrys-Jones from Cornwall Downs Syndrome Support emphasized the importance of understanding the reasonable adjustments available for voting. "It's crucial that people with a learning disability know that accommodations can be made. You can have someone accompany you into the voting booth, make the mark for you, or read out the list of candidates to help you better understand the options. There’s lots of help available, and it is your right to vote."
The event also saw participation from groups such as Time2Shine and Disability Cornwall. Marie Whitehurst from Disability Cornwall praised the workshop's impact, stating, "I think it's been really successful today. People who didn't know much about voting or its importance, or even how to vote, now have that knowledge."
The workshop underscored the commitment to making the voting process accessible and understandable for everyone, ensuring that people with learning disabilities are empowered to exercise their right to vote and participate fully in the democratic process.
A report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals a £3.5 billion increase in school spending over the past decade due to rising special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support. The current funding system doesn't adequately address the growing number of pupils with education, health, and care plans (EHCPs).
Since 2016, the proportion of children with EHC plans in schools has increased from 2.8% to 4.3%, a 50% rise. Although the high-needs budget is only 15% of total school spending, the £3.5 billion increase since 2015 has taken up nearly half of the overall rise in school spending. The IFS stresses the need for more effective and financially sustainable ways to meet these needs.
This spending surge is largely due to a near-doubling in pupils with autistic spectrum disorders, speech and language needs, and social, emotional, and mental health needs, straining school budgets. The rise accelerated during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, with about 95,000 more pupils receiving EHC plans in 2022/23 compared to three years earlier. This increase is more notable among less disadvantaged pupils, as schools and local authorities ration support to control costs.
Appeals to SEND tribunals, mainly about EHC plans, have nearly tripled to over 14,000 per year, with a 98% success rate, indicating many initially denied families and children qualify for support. However, disadvantaged children, who may lack resources to appeal, often remain without needed support.
A coalition of epilepsy charities and organisations have developed a new toolkit to enhance social support for individuals with epilepsy. Funded by the Scottish government, this toolkit aims to improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with epilepsy by expanding social support services across the UK.
Epilepsy, a common and serious neurological condition, affects around 626,000 people in the UK. It is prevalent among individuals with learning disabilities, with about a third experiencing frequent seizures. People with epilepsy often face co-morbidities such as high cholesterol, type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis, and migraines. Mental health issues, sleep difficulties, and cognitive impairments are also more common in this group.
Those with epilepsy often struggle to find and maintain employment, with higher incidence rates in deprived areas. Social support significantly enhances the quality of life and wellbeing for people with epilepsy. This support includes resources, knowledge, and skill development to help individuals manage their condition effectively. Key types of social support include peer support meetings, epilepsy self-management courses, one-to-one support, and counselling services.
Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director of The Scottish Government, emphasised the importance of a supportive environment combined with appropriate clinical care to improve outcomes for people with epilepsy. He stated that the toolkit provides guidance for health leaders on commissioning essential social support services, promoting a holistic approach to epilepsy care and encouraging collaboration between Health Boards, Local Authorities, and third-sector providers.
NHS England, in collaboration with the government, has launched a new ADHD Taskforce to improve access to services and manage rising demand for ADHD support. Co-chaired by Professor Anita Thapar and Joanna Killian, the taskforce will focus on enhancing ADHD pathways, patient experiences, and recommending reforms.
Joanna Killian, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, highlighted the varied impact of ADHD on daily life and the increasing need for support. She stressed the collaborative role of councils in providing care to children and adults with ADHD, working with housing, health, education, and voluntary sector partners. The taskforce aims to ensure services meet the needs of people with ADHD of all ages.
Since December, NHS England has focused on ADHD with senior clinicians and system leaders to develop a national ADHD data improvement plan, understand the provider landscape, and share best practices from innovative local health systems.
Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer at NHS England, acknowledged the need for timely diagnosis and comprehensive care for people with ADHD. He believes that Anita and Joanna's expertise, supported by the NHS, will be crucial in driving improvements in ADHD care and support.
