This snapshot taken on 31/03/2007, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
Please note that this website has a UK goverment accesskeys system.
People with learning disabilities (including people with autism) are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, and the Government is committed to improving their life chances. The Department of Health has worked with several other Government departments on a white paper (originally announced as a strategy last Autumn by the Secretary of State) designed to improve support for people with learning disabilities and their families. The white paper, Valuing People, can be viewed using the link on the right.
Recent publications relating to learning disabilities and autism
The final revenue allocations for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 Learning Disability Development Fund (LDDF) are now available on this site. All PCT Chief Executives have been notified via the Chief Executive’s Bulletin (2 March 2006; Gateway Reference: 6209) and the letter has been copied to the appropriate Partnership Boards, informing them of their allocations.
The final revenue allocations for the 2005-06 Learning Disability Development Fund (LDDF) are now available on this site. A letter has been sent to all PCT Chief Executives, copied to the appropriate Partnership Boards, informing them of these allocations
Capital allocations to Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) include £20 million per anum to support the implementation of the Government White Paper ‘Valuing People’.
Answers to some ‘Frequently Asked Questions’
Published: 28 April 2004
This report is the second annual government report on learning disability. The Health and Social Care Act 2001 says we must give Parliament a report on learning disability once a year.
Published: 25 June 2002
Facts and Figures
The Learning Disabilities Taskforce is a team of academic experts, representatives of voluntary organisations, health and social care professionals, family carers and people with learning diffculties themselves. The Taskforce's job is to find ways to make the ideas in Valuing People, the learning disability white paper published in March 2001, into reality. The Taskforce meets several times a year to talk about the many challenges faced by people with learning difficulties.
Joint working group set up by the Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions. The group examines ways to help people with learning disabilities find and keep paid jobs.
The white paper Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century was published on 20 March 2001. It is the first white paper on learning disability for thirty years and sets out an ambitious and challenging programme of action for improving services.
Key documents about learning disabilities published by the Department of Health.
An Individual Budget is designed to provide individuals who currently receive services greater choice and control over their support arrangements. The government is committed to piloting individual budgets with a view to rolling them out nationally should they prove successful. The individual budgets pilot project is a cross government initiative led by the Department of Health working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Communities and Local Government.
A Health Action Plan is a personal plan about what a person with learning disabilities can do to be healthy. It lists any help people might need to do those things. It helps to make sure people get the services and support they need to be healthy.
External websites about learning disabilities.
We welcome your comments on the learning disability strategy. Use the email link below.
The Department of Health have commissioned BMRB Social Research to conduct a major survey of people with learning difficulties in England. Fieldwork for the survey was completed in October 2004 and a main report on the findings was published on 28 September 2005.
Team set up to implement the Valuing People white paper.
