Tag Archives: ukcuts

Councils ‘failing to assess needs of carers of people with autism’

May 21, 2012   autism, Carers, ukcuts

Survey finds four out of five carers have not been through assessment process that councils are obliged to provide

Only one in five carers of people with autism have ever received the local authority assessment of their needs to which they are legally entitled, according to a major survey of carers’ needs.

Of more than 5,500 carers who filled in an online survey for the National Autistic Society (NAS), 80% said they had never been through the assessment process, which local authorities are obliged to provide and which helps them obtain the right assistance. Only 26% of those who responded said they received any help at all from a council or health authority.

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Anger as lone parents face benefit cuts

May 20, 2012   Carers, charities, family, ukcuts

Short notice of welfare shake-up hits 124,000 now under increased pressure to find work

 

A young mother with her daughter outside her home on a council estate in Bristol.

Charities have spoken of their fury over changes to the welfare system which from tomorrow will force unemployed single parents with children about to start school to find a job or risk losing part or all of their benefits.

These 124,000 single parents with children aged five and six were given only eight weeks notice of the fact that they would have to move from income support to jobseeker’s allowance (JSA). Previously, lone parents of older children have been given up to 12 months notice, giving them a greater chance of planning ahead and improving their skills and qualifications.

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State-funded elderly care declining, Labour figures suggest

May 16, 2012   Carers, Older care, ukcuts
16 May 2012 Last updated at 08:59

Ministers are promising plans to reform social care will be published soon

By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News

 The number of elderly people in England getting council-funded care has fallen by 11% in the last two years, figures obtained by Labour suggest.

Freedom of Information responses from 121 councils showed they provided free care to 59,056 over 65s in 2011-12, down from 66,342 in 2009-10.

The drop comes despite the rise in over-65s due to the ageing population.

Campaigners said it proved the system needed urgent reform – something ministers say they are looking to do.

Labour asked all 153 councils that have responsibility for providing free care at home and in care homes a series of FOI questions.

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