The LGA is calling for more devolution to local areas, which can bring economic, political and social benefits to communities across the country. This publication was commissioned by the LGA to capture the thoughts of councillors, directors of public health, providers, commissioners, academics and other key opinion formers on the challenges and opportunities devolution could bring in terms of improving the public’s health – See more at: http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/publications/-/journal_content/56/10180/7327847/PUBLICATION?utm_source=The+King%27s+Fund+newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5713914_HWBB+2015-06-22&dm_i=21A8,3EGVU,FNH0UY,C63R5,1#sthash.mTdZ7gMW.dpuf See the full report here: English...

Part of our Making it Real in Dudley Express Briefing series this event will focus on the adult social care budget for Dudley. EVENT: Adult social care, what’s important to you? WHEN: 23 January 2015 10:00 – 12:00 WHERE: The Council House, Committee room 2, Priory Road, Dudley DY1 1HF Local stakeholders, carers, people. providers and staff are urged to share their views on how Dudley Council’s adult social care team spends its budget and the impact on services. The council recently announced that we will need to make additional savings over the next three years to meet further reductions in government funding. So we are asking you to give your views on how the council’s adult social care service is going to meet the challenges over the next few years. Our role is to continue to offer quality care and support services that help more people to live independently in their own homes as well as implementing the Care Act from April 2015. The ideas listed below are some of the key ways in which the council is suggesting we will meet these challenges. ::For more information and...

Since it was launched a year ago the Disability Confident campaign has reached over 1,100 employers and received hundreds of pledges from organisations committed to improving employment outcomes for disabled people. To mark the first anniversary of the campaign, DWP has launched two portals that provide information and guidance on how to support disabled talent. The Young Person’s Portal – this gives young people, and those who work with them, the information they need to help them get the job they want; An updated Employer’s Portal – this includes new information on impairments, recruitment practices and disability law.   On 18 July, partners, stakeholders and employers also provided supportive communications about the anniversary and the campaign. They used their own networks to increase the communications reach and impact on social media. As a result the hashtag #disabilityconfident delivered a cumulative social media reach of over 19.1 million. You can let DWP  how you are making a difference to the employment outcomes for disabled people email dwp.disabilityconfident@dwp.gsi.gov.uk You can follow what is happening on social media by using hashtag #disabilityconfident. DWP have also published a series of Disability Confident videos. source: Department for Work and Pensions Touchbase newsletter August...

My name is Vince Peters,  I have been with Employment Plus since July 2013.  I have come a long way since then.  My main 2 key workers are  Job Coach – Lyndon Rogers and Support Worker – Anthony Hill.  They have changed my life completely.  I can honestly say that they have made me see life in a totally different way.  I have got a voluntary placement and a paid job.  I work as a support assistant for Dudley Advocacy.  I’ve been doing my job with them since the end of February, and I absolutely love it there.  All the staff are very friendly and very supportive.  Its a pleasure to work with them all.  After all there is nothing better than feeling happy and comfortable at work is there?   Through Employment Plus I also do some work experience at Lunch on the Run, and a part time paid job through the support I have received over the past year....

Follow the link to  www.dudley.gov.uk/carers for details of all the events that are taking place in Dudley during Carers Week. Dudley Council and a number of voluntary organisations in the  borough are signed up to Carers UK’s Carers Quest, a national initiative to reach carers who may not know of information and support available to them. We have a joint target of reaching 500 ‘ new’ carers –  please help us to reach the total by passing on this information to friends and neighbours. Christine Rowley, Carers Coordinator christine.rowley@dudley.gov.uk tel: 01384...

Dudley has been featured in a national publication  from the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group* about best practice in the personalisation of adult social care. The Dudley case study on transport can be found on Pages 16-19. Transport remains a key concern for people accessing social care and we are working hard with our colleagues in Children’s Services, voluntary and commercial partners to improve access, quality and training. Our  very own website has also been hailed as an example of best practice. *The VODG is the leading umbrella group of voluntary sector providers of social care services for adults. Our members’ shared aim is to ensure that people with disabilities are supported in ways that they themselves define. http://www.vodg.org.uk/...