www.ecdp.org.

uk
Spring 2011

ecdp helps to shape

welfare reform
On Tuesday 22 March our Chief Executive, Mike Adams,
shared ecdp’s views on the government’s Welfare Reform Bill.

Mike gave evidence to the committee considering the Welfare

Reform Bill. The committee met by the Houses of Parliament
and was made up of 26 MPs. Mike gave evidence on the parts
of the Bill which aim to reform Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
and replace it with the Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

In his evidence, Mike challenged the proposed reforms to the

mobility component of DLA for people who live in a residential
setting. He highlighted that the fraud rate for DLA – at 0.5% – is
lower than the DWP’s own administrative error rate. He also
emphasised the importance of DLA reflecting the extra costs
disabled people face in their everyday lives and suggested that
the focus of the reforms should be on driving down the cost of
disability rather than on need. Taking this approach has the
potential to reduce the additional costs relating to disability
through an increase in disability-related business activity.
Continued on page 2 …
National news

ecdp helps shape welfare reform

… continued from page 1

The lived experience of ecdp members captured through a
survey carried out last year, as well as our wider engagement
with members on this key issue, underpinned ecdp’s DLA
consultation response.

What you think The full transcript and a film of the session, as well as ecdp’s
about the reforms full views on the proposed reforms, can be accessed through
to Disability Living the ecdp website – www.ecdp.org.uk. For more information
Allowance? Let us on the Welfare Reform Bill Committee, please visit the
know by Parliament website: http://www.parliament.uk/.
contributing to our
online Members’ For those interested in the wider aspects of the DLA proposals
Forum on our and their potential impact on disabled people, we recommend
website: the Disability Alliance’s DLA consultation response:
www.ecdp.org.uk http://www.disabilityalliance.org/r68.htm

Your views on changes to Access to Work: page 6

Page 2 Spring 2011

National news

ecdp’s work on Disability Hate Crime

Over the last few months our Lived Experience Officer,

Faye Savage, has done a considerable amount of work on
the topic of disability hate crime. This began with a
discussion paper on hate crime published in April 2010, our
dedicated survey and AGM discussions on hate crime at
the end of 2010.

During March, we held a roundtable discussion with a “We have done a

variety of stakeholders, including Essex Police, to discuss considerable
how we can work together in order to address the issue of amount of work
hate crime and what we should do next.
on the topic of
We will share with you the results of all our work regarding disability hate
disability hate crime, and some recommendations for crime”
practical activities it is anticipated will make a difference.

In the meantime, you can listen to two Audioboos on our

website – some audio we’ve recorded and published online
– on hate crime. The first is Faye talking about the work
we’ve done on hate crime so far, and the second is Faye’s
appearance on the Dave Monk Show on BBC Essex, after
he kindly invited her to talk about this issue and what it
means for disabled people in Essex.

Blue Badge Scheme reform

In February, the government announced the biggest reform to the Blue
Badge scheme for 40 years. Some of the measures within the reform
include a new badge design that is hard to copy or forge, introducing an
online application process and raising the maximum fee for a badge that
local authorities can charge from £2 to £10.

Further details of the consultation and the responses given can be found
on the Department for Transport (DfT) website: www.dft.gov.uk. You can
also find out more on our website: www.ecdp.org.uk

Spring 2011 Page 3

National news

“Stand by me” seeks lived experience

This year’s Learning Disability Week will take place from

Monday 20 - Sunday 26 June. During that week, Mencap will
launch a three-year campaign against hate crime, “Stand by
me”.

“Stand by me’” will challenge the police, the criminal justice

system and the courts to end hate crime against people with a
learning disability within a generation.

Mencap is looking for people who have experienced hate

crime due to their learning disability for a campaign which
aims to make sure that stopping hate crime is high on the
police and the governments’ agenda. They want to know:

 Have you or someone you care for experienced hate

crime?
A new website has  What did people do to you to make you feel unsafe?
been launched  How did the police handle your complaint?
across the UK to
enable witnesses If you think that you could help Mencap please contact Brenda
and victims to Shavely in strict confidence on 020 7696 5568 or email
report hate crime brenda.shalvey@mencap.org.uk leaving your name and a
online. telephone number so she can return your call.

The website For more information about Learning Disability Week, see
includes a secure Mencap’s website: http://www.mencap.org.uk/
online reporting
form and provides
information about
what hate crime is.

You can access

the True Vision
website by visiting:
http://report-
it.org.uk/

Page 4 Spring 2011

 Disclaimer: ecdp passes on information about products, services and events offered by other
organisations. This does not mean that we endorse or support these organisations. Readers are advised
to check details for themselves and make their own judgements about the merits of organisations.
Unfortunately, ecdp cannot take responsibility for the accessibility of content provided by external
organisations. Views expressed are not necessarily shared by ecdp. Adverts are provided by Affiliate
Members. To find out more about Affiliate Membership visit www.ecdp.org.uk/affiliate-membership/

Spring 2011 Page 5

National news

Your experiences of Access to Work

In January 2011 we published a survey on the issue of Access

to Work. This was in response to a number of recent
experiences our members and others had had with regard to
subtle changes that had taken effect with Access to Work.

We have now published a report summarising the findings

from this work. Key findings, which are based on the lived
experiences of our members across Essex, include:

 The subtle changes introduced to Access to Work through

new guidance are negatively affecting the crucial nature of
the support people receive. A key part of what makes the
support so successful for people is its flexible nature and
the variety of ways people are able to use their funding to
form a support package which meets their needs.

 Restrictions on these options can and are having serious

effects on individuals and their work.

We first heard  Disabled people’s organisations, peer support and word of

about changes to mouth are the main ways in which people find out about
Access to Work via Access to Work. Only a small minority of people find out
the social media about Access to Work through JobCentre Plus.
site Twitter.
 The role of assessors in delivering Access to Work is
If you’d like to keep absolutely crucial: a good assessor can lead to a very
in touch with ecdp positive overall impression of Access to Work and a poor
on a day-to-day assessor to a very negative impression of the programme.
basis then you can
find us on Twitter  A simple appeals process for Access to Work – or at least
using our the chance to have a second opinion – would also
username: @ecdp encourage a sense of accountability, transparency and
fairness concerning Access to Work decisions.
To find out more
join Twitter at Full findings can be found on our website: www.ecdp.org.uk
www.twitter.com Continued on page 7…

Page 6 Spring 2011

National news

Your experiences of Access to Work

… continued from page 6

Our report has been shared both with the Minister for Disabled
People, Maria Miller MP and Liz Sayce, who is undertaking a
review of specialist employment programmes for disabled
people on behalf of the DWP. If you’d like to
read the full
We will follow this up with a number of practical suggestions
we and our members have on Access to Work, which we shall results of what
share on our website. Any perspectives you also have on this our members
would be gratefully received. think about
Thanks to all our members who took part in the survey, and
Access to
those who took the time to share and promote information Work, visit
about our activity on Access to Work. ecdp.org.uk

Choice and control: an ODI project

The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) leads the government's vision of
achieving equality for disabled people.

One of the projects run by ODI focuses on how professionals, such as

social workers and GPs, can offer choice and control to disabled people.
The Choice and Control web pages use real examples of best practice in
providing services.

ecdp is working with ODI to enable people to contribute their lived

experience of being given choice and control through the services
provided to them. If you are interested in sharing your story or would like
more information, please contact Faye Savage on 01245 392310 or
fsavage@ecdp.org.uk

To see the stories already contributed – soon to include those from ecdp
members – visit the Choice and Control section of the ODI’s website and
select the “real life stories” link: http://www.odi.gov.uk/

Spring 2011 Page 7

National news

Personalisation and young disabled people

ecdp is integrally involved in adult social care and the

personalisation agenda. To date, working age adults, and
particularly people over 65, have been the focus for reforms in
the social care world.

But we know that personalisation will be a significant driver in

children and young people’s services in the future, too. This is
both in traditional areas like education and health, and through
Personal Budgets in social care.

We know some work that is seeking to understand how

organisations can move towards personalisation for disabled
children and young people. Action for Children has
commissioned some research to understand how it can
support the move towards personalisation, particularly in
relation to services for disabled children, young people and
their families.

To support this, it would be great to hear from anyone

involved in the development and delivery of personalised
services or who knows about good examples. A formal “call
Images from Action for for evidence” can be seen and downloaded on our website:
Children www.ecdp.org.uk

Through the ecdp website, the top lines of the findings will be
shared, as well as through the OPM website and from Action
for Children themselves.

Is there anything ecdp could do better? At ecdp,

we always want to improve what we do and the
services we offer. Tell us what you think by visiting
www.ecdp.org.uk/forum

Page 8 Spring 2011

National news

User-Led Organisations on Social Care TV

Would you like to

use your lived
experience to
support other
ecdp is fortunate to have been chosen as an example people? If yes then
of a User-Led Organisation contributing to SCIE’s contact us on 01245
Social Care TV series, “Making Personalisation 392 310 or email
Happen”.
insight@ecdp.org.uk
The film is featured on Social Care TV’s website and is to find out more.
designed to show that:
 ULOs support people to have independence,
choice and control over their lives.
 ULOs are experts in the care needs of people who
use services because they are managed by people
who use services.
 By drawing on the experience of their members,
ULOs can help to shape local authority policy and
practice.
 Carers of disabled people are also involved in the
work of ULOs. They can provide invaluable support
to other carers.

You can view a version of the film, which was created

and narrated by Social Care TV, on our website:
www.ecdp.org.uk. A fully accessible version of the film
is available on SCIE’s website:
www.tinyurl.com/5rldxe2.

Spring 2011 Page 9

Affiliate membership news

Estuary Housing Association: working with us

Estuary Housing Association is committed to the provision of

good quality housing, care and support services.

Recently, ecdp undertook a training programme in

personalisation for over 200 staff and managers. The training
included exploring the social model of disability and
understanding how this underpins personalisation and how
personalisation works for clients and residents and the
positive benefits to our staff.
“We felt ecdp
We felt ecdp had the unique skills to roll out this training for
had the unique us. Feedback was extremely encouraging and we are creating
skills to roll out an action plan to implement this in everyday practice.
this training for
us.” Our Supported Housing and Care Directorate are proud to
provide services that meet peoples’ needs and often exceed
their expectations. It does not matter what need the person
has or how much support they require.

Our services are based on these values and principles:

 Every person is unique
 The support a person gets must reflect their own needs,
goals and aspirations
 People should have control over their own lives
 Each person is at the centre of the planning of support
 We believe that where a person lives and the support they
have should make life better.

At present we can offer Registered Care and Nursing

Services, Supported Living Schemes and Community
Support, where we provide high level support to people with
learning disabilities or mental health issues and physical
disabilities living in their own homes.

For more information, please contact us on 01702 445252 or

visit www.estuary.co.uk

Page 10 Spring 2011

Local news

Buy With Confidence scheme in Essex

It’s important to find someone you can trust. The best advice
in the past has been to ask your friends for recommendations,
get several quotes and try and contact previous customers to
get their opinion and see their work. But now you can look for
a trader or business with the “Buy with Confidence – Trading
Standards approved” mark. Each company on the scheme
has been checked by Trading Standards. The tradesmen
have been CRB checked, references have been taken up For info on Buy
regarding their work quality, politeness and reliability, and With Confidence
trading practices and insurances have all been checked businesses visit
before they can be approved. their website or call
Contact Essex on
You can have confidence you’ll get a good job at a fair price. 08456 037626.

Spring 2011 Page 11

Affiliate membership news

Welcoming ecdp’s latest affiliate members

Advocacy (Essex) Services Limited

Advocacy (Essex) Services Limited is the management agent
commissioning advocacy services for citizens of Essex
(excluding Southend and Thurrock). Services are free and can
be accessed by adults in the county who have a learning,
physical or sensory disability, are 65+ or are carers.
Call 01245 382838 or visit www.advocacyessex.co.uk

Radar
Radar is the Royal Association for Disability Rights. We are a
pan-disability organisation led by people with lived experience
of disability or health conditions. We work in broad
Your organisation partnerships to have the widest impact. Our vision is a just
can also become and equal society whose strength is human difference. Our
an Affiliate Member mission is to enable individuals, networks and policy-makers
of ecdp. There are to do things differently – and better. Google us, join us and be
many direct part of our network.
benefits including Visit: www.radar.org.uk
inclusion in our
magazine, monthly Premier Care
email bulletin and Premier Care is a leading disability and over 50s insurer
on our website. providing outstanding cover, customer service and value for
money. The range of insurance products include direct
Joining is payments, personal care assistant, and mobility scooter /
straightforward and power-chair cover.
discounts are Call 0845 8384709 or visit www.premiercare.info
available for
voluntary
organisations and CHP
SMEs. CHP is an Essex based not-for-profit housing association
providing high-quality affordable properties to rent and buy.
For more CHP can help older or disabled residents live independently
information see our through its sheltered housing schemes and Community
website: Outreach – a visiting support service.
www.ecdp.org.uk Call 0300 555 0500 today to see how CHP can help you.

Page 12 Spring 2011

,

Affiliate membership news

Welcoming ecdp’s latest affiliate members

Frontline
Frontline works in partnership with Sawyers Church and other
organisations that share the same ethos to enable and
support people with a learning disability and high support
needs to live full and productive lives through their active
inclusion, participation and contribution, mainly within the
Brentwood area.

DOTS
DOTS are proud to supply ecdp with their copiers and
printers. We look after organisations such as Audi, YMCA,
Theatre Resources and virtually all of the counties CABx.
DOTS always put our clients requirements first and should Ministerial visits to
you want to saves some money or are considering installing ecdp from Maria
some new machinery, please contact us. Miller MP (top) and
Call David Broomfield on 0845 249 1618 Paul Burstow MP.
For more photos of
their visits and
Estuary Housing Association others like this, visit
Estuary Housing Association is committed to the provision of www.ecdp.org.uk
good quality housing, care and support services. Our
Supported Housing and Care Directorate are proud to provide
services that meet peoples’ needs and their expectations.
Call 01702 445252 or visit www.estuary.co.uk

Swan Learning Disability Floating

Support
Swan Learning Disability Floating Support is a floating support
service for adults with Learning Disabilities across Essex. The
service’s aim is to empower adults to live independently within
the community. You don’t have to be a Swan tenant to refer.
You will receive an assessment and if support areas are
indentified you will be allocated a support worker. The service
is free and you’re welcome to find out more about the scheme.
Call the team on 0300 303 2500

Spring 2011 Page 13

ecdp news

Introducing ecdp connects

We have a range
of services at
ecdp to support
you or your loved
ones to have
more choice and
control over your
care and
support.

One of these is ecdp connects (formerly our Self-Directed Support Service,

ecdp connects, SDSS) was set up in January 2005 to give telephone support
which we share and a range of information, advice and guidance to people
more information considering a Direct Payment / Personal Budget.
about over the
next two pages. Direct Payments / Personal Budgets are available to anyone
who is eligible for a social care or carers service, as an
To find out more alternative to home care provided by the council. The purpose
about the other of Direct Payments / Personal Budgets is to enable a person
services we to purchase their own care (often by employing their own
offer, as well as Personal Assistants), or by purchasing equipment, offering
the wide range more choice and control over what assistance they receive
of volunteering and when.
opportunities we
have for people In Essex, ecdp connects works in partnership with the
of all ages, Independent Living Advocacy Essex (ILA Essex), screening
please visit our all requests for Direct Payments / Personal Budgets. The
website – client is then contacted to discuss their support requirements,
www.ecdp.org.uk and if necessary referred to ILA, who are able to provide face
– or contact us to face support.
on 01245 392
300. ecdp connects also provides support and information to
family members, social workers and their colleagues.

Page 14 Spring 2011

ecdp news

“I didn’t realise I was entitled to this help.

It’s going to make my life much easier”
ecdp service user
ecdp connects works in conjunction with our payroll service,
ecdp pass. ecdp pass can provide vital support for people
who use Direct Payments, but for whatever reason feel they
need extra assistance.

This support can be provided in areas such as payroll, invoice

payments and employer training, making the Direct Payment
process stress free. We also provide Direct Payment Support
to people considering Direct Payments in Thurrock and
Cambridgeshire. For more information about these services,
please see the ecdp connects pages on our website, email
telephoneadvice@ecdp.org.uk or call 01245 392300.

Free training from ecdp pass

The following training courses are available for all Direct Payment /
Personal Budget holders and their Personal Assistants (PAs) during 2011.

 PA Training – Friday 13 May

 ACAS Employment Law Update – Tuesday 17 May
 Employer Responsibilities – Friday 10 June
 Empowering the Employer – Tuesday 14 June
 Moving and Handling (am) – Friday 24 June
 Medication Awareness (pm) – Friday 24 June
 Emergency Life Support – Friday 8 July
 Health and Safety Awareness (am) – Wednesday 20 July
 Food Safety Awareness (pm) – Wednesday 20 July

All courses are held at ecdp’s fully accessible offices, Ivan Peck House,
Chelmsford. For further information on the content of courses or to book a
place please contact Debbie on 01245 392 321 or dfrisby@ecdp.org.uk

Spring 2011 Page 15

Member’s contributions Next magazine:
July 2011!

Follow us on
Twitter or visit
Time, by Steve Collins www.ecdp.org.uk
before then!

Time stands still for no-one,

I stop and watch it’s true!
I wouldn’t wait for things to happen,
I’d make them happen, if I was you!

Friendship’s come and friendships go,

But precious is what they are!
ecdp is an You may not even realise,
organisation Until they’re just a memory of the heart.
run by and for
Do not take for granted,
disabled What you have right now.
people. If you’d The tide of change is shifting,
like to become And the tide is moving out.
a member, or
I wish I had this warning
know someone Many years ago.
who would like Perhaps the pain of ignorance
to, then get in ‘’Would not even show,
touch using the Take heed and listen, friend
contact details What I offer is good advice.
below. Time stands still for no-one,
And this one is your life!

Contact us
If you would like to share your experiences with us, reply to any of the
articles featured in the magazine or send in your own member’s
contribution, please contact us using any of the details below:

ecdp, 1 Russell Way, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3AA

Telephone: 01245 392 300 Email: info@ecdp.org.uk
Twitter: @ecdp Textphone: 01245 392 302
www.ecdp.org.uk

Page 16 Spring 2011

Spring 2011 Page 17