The scale of cuts & closures to Sure Start Children Centres has highlighted 250 at risk of closing, 2,000 cutting back services, & 1,000 issuing ‘risk of redundancy notices' to staff. Findings of a survey of Sure Start Centre Managers across England, by 4Children & Daycare Trust, provides nationwide data on the impact of cuts. The feedback prompted charities to warn that closing Children's Centres risks crucial support for families at a time of increased financial hardship, unemployment, & social stress - this when there is growing consensus that giving children positive support in their early years helps tackle intergenerational disadvantage & reduces the cost of social 'failure'.
The charities are calling on Local Authorities to do more to prioritise funding for Sure Start Children's Centres - whose overall budget was protected in cash terms in Government's Spending Review, but that money was no longer ring-fenced! The survey suggests over the next 12 months:
* 250 (7%) will close or are expected to close, affecting an estimated 60,000 families
* 2,000 (56%) will provide a reduced service
* 3,100 (86%) will have a decreased budget
* Staff at 1,000 (28%) issued with ‘at risk of redundancy' notices
Staffordshire County Council is currently consulting on critical changes, so if this is a service you or your family uses, or is likely to use, or if you are interested in the 'modernisation' of local services, go along to one of the informational sessions or respond to the public consultation document online:
Children's Centre Consultation meetings in our localities:
Cannock Chase Childrens Centre Monday 30th January 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Charnwood Childrens Centre Tuesday 31st Jan 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Landywood Childrens Centre Wednesday 1st February 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Hednesford (at Hednesford Nursery) Monday 6th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Brewood Library Tuesday 7th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Boney Hay Childrens Centre Tuesday 7th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Willows Childrens Centre Friday 10th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m
Wombourne Library Monday 13th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m
Stafford Childrens Centre Monday 13th Feb 10.00 to 11.00 a.m.
Featherstone Childrens Centre Thursday 16th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Cannock Chase Childrens Centre Thursday 16th Feb 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.
Stafford (at Holmcroft Comm. Centre) Thursday 16th Feb 11.00 to 12.00 p.m.
29 January 2012
25 January 2012
Have your say on good medical practice
Good Medical Practice is the core guidance for doctors, setting out the principles & values on which good practice is founded, & which together describe medical professionalism in action. The guidance is addressed to doctors, but is also intended to let the public know what they can expect from doctors. Last published in 2006, the General Medical Council review the guidance every 5 years ensuring it reflects practice across the UK, & what doctors, patients, employers, educators & others believe are important issues.
The 2012 consultation is open to anyone who wishes to respond to the issues in the Good Medical Practice 2012 draft - this is a chance to have your say by completing online a short patient / public questionnaire. Once the consultation closes, the GMC will analyse the responses & publish a new edition in late 2012.
The consultation closes on Friday 10th February 2012 so crack on with it!
The 2012 consultation is open to anyone who wishes to respond to the issues in the Good Medical Practice 2012 draft - this is a chance to have your say by completing online a short patient / public questionnaire. Once the consultation closes, the GMC will analyse the responses & publish a new edition in late 2012.
The consultation closes on Friday 10th February 2012 so crack on with it!
Limited impact of 'No Health Without Mental Health'
The coalition Government’s 2011 mental health strategy has had little effect on the commissioning & providing of mental health support & services. A recent study states there are few indications this strategy is guiding local decision-making at all. The Mental Health Foundation, Mind, Rethink, & the Centre for Mental Health identify key themes received from members & highlight the pressures on mental health services across the country resulting from cuts in spending & rising demand. They conclude the mental health strategy objectives outlined in No Health Without Mental Health must be properly prioritised if they are to be of any real value, especially as we move towards GP consortia commissioning.
An easy-read version of No Health Without Mental Health is also available.
DLA campaign supported by Mind
The Responsible Reform report by disabled campaigners, exposes a true lack of understanding in Government plans to reform Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
The report is entirely written, researched, funded & supported by sick & disabled people, carers & friends, including prominent campaigners Sue Marsh (blogging at Diary of a Benefit Scrounger) & Kaliya Franklin (The Broken of Britain) - it's become known as the Spartacus Report
Based on a Freedom of Information request eliciting 500+ responses to formal consultation on DLA reform, the report argues the Government simply plays down the level of concern & opposition by disabled groups, carers, charities & others. It shows the rising recent caseload, which the Government says is DLA running out of control, is largely due to better access to DLA for folk with mental health problems. This questions Government arguments for trying to cut overall DLA by 20%.
A broad church of campaigners are calling for any changes to be delayed 6 months so the arguments & consequences can be better considered and understood. Mind is actively supporting this demand.
Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer said the report: “is essential reading... a vital contribution to the debate on reform and a huge achievement for the volunteers who have produced it... shows much of the rise in claimants over recent years has been down to better access to the benefit for people with mental health problems, whose needs are often fluctuating and invisible. Rather than getting out of control as the Government claims, DLA has been increasingly going to people who really need it. The proposed 20% cut to the budget will have an enormous impact on many people with illnesses and disabilities, and we remain very concerned about the unintended consequences... “
Government said consultation responses supported reform - not true, just 7% do. The consultation did not meet Government’s own Code of Practice - it was too short & ended 2 days after they presented the Bill to Parliament. Government claims a 30% rise in DLA claims - it's 13%, which they do admit... while yet maintaining the 30% claim! Odd, eh?
In short, this report says Government broke the rules, presented untruths & sticks by them, & tries to deny what is readily proved.
The report is entirely written, researched, funded & supported by sick & disabled people, carers & friends, including prominent campaigners Sue Marsh (blogging at Diary of a Benefit Scrounger) & Kaliya Franklin (The Broken of Britain) - it's become known as the Spartacus Report
Based on a Freedom of Information request eliciting 500+ responses to formal consultation on DLA reform, the report argues the Government simply plays down the level of concern & opposition by disabled groups, carers, charities & others. It shows the rising recent caseload, which the Government says is DLA running out of control, is largely due to better access to DLA for folk with mental health problems. This questions Government arguments for trying to cut overall DLA by 20%.
A broad church of campaigners are calling for any changes to be delayed 6 months so the arguments & consequences can be better considered and understood. Mind is actively supporting this demand.
Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer said the report: “is essential reading... a vital contribution to the debate on reform and a huge achievement for the volunteers who have produced it... shows much of the rise in claimants over recent years has been down to better access to the benefit for people with mental health problems, whose needs are often fluctuating and invisible. Rather than getting out of control as the Government claims, DLA has been increasingly going to people who really need it. The proposed 20% cut to the budget will have an enormous impact on many people with illnesses and disabilities, and we remain very concerned about the unintended consequences... “
An easy-read version of Responsible Reform is also available.
Government said consultation responses supported reform - not true, just 7% do. The consultation did not meet Government’s own Code of Practice - it was too short & ended 2 days after they presented the Bill to Parliament. Government claims a 30% rise in DLA claims - it's 13%, which they do admit... while yet maintaining the 30% claim! Odd, eh?
In short, this report says Government broke the rules, presented untruths & sticks by them, & tries to deny what is readily proved.
05 January 2012
HOPE Project Community Workers
Mid Staffs Mind are looking for local people for a local project and need community workers to deliver our HOPE Project to residents of the coalfield areas of Cannock and Rugeley.
Potential Candidates will have:
· Good knowledge of the area and local communities.
· Full, clean driving licence and full use of a car.
· Good communication and listening skills
· Experience in dealing with vulnerable adults.
This 12 month contract, funded by the Coalfields RegenerationTrust, will provide practical support to vulnerable adults in the Cannock Chase area.
3 part time posts: 25, 15, & 15 hours per week, flexibility available
Salary £16,830 - 17,802 pro-rata (NJC scale 17 - 19)
For information / application pack telephone (01543) 462907, email midstaffsmind@gmail.com or write to
Mid Staffs Mind
28 Manor Avenue
Cannock
Staffs
WS11 1AA
28 Manor Avenue
Cannock
Staffs
WS11 1AA
Website: midstaffsmind.co.uk
Closing date: Friday 3rd February 2012
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