Personal Independence Payments are often know as PIP.

PIP is a health and disability benefit, it helps pay for extra things you need to help you because of a disability or health condition.

In his latest blog, Gary Bourlet – Membership and Engagement Lead at Learning Disability England, talks about recent changes to the reasonable adjustment digital flag and the impact that this will have on his own and other people with learning disabilities experience of healthcare.

The Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag is a national NHS record that shows what support someone needs.

It means that when you are referred to a service or arrive for an appointment, staff like receptionists, nurses or doctors can see your reasonable adjustments straight away.

This is now becoming mandatory across the NHS, which is an important step forward.

Reasonable adjustments are really important because they help people get equal access to healthcare.

Baroness Casey is leading an inquiry into how Social Care works.

Last week Baroness Casey made a speech about her work on Social Care. 

In her speech Baroness Casey says the UK’s social care system is not fit for today’s society and needs major reform. 

Learning Disability England welcomes the points she makes in her speech about the system and how we as a society need to think about how everyone can be supported to live Good Lives. 

James O’Rourke, Family and Friends Member Representative at Learning Disability England, has written a blog to speak about his recent experience speaking with councillors and social care staff in Newham about what a good life means for people with learning disabilities.

I was proud to represent Learning Disability England when I was invited to the London Borough of Newham Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission.

I went to talk to Councillors and social care senior staff about what a Good Life looks like for people with learning disabilities.

Skills for Care has published its annual Pay in the Adult Social Care Sector in England report. 

Read here

This report looks at how much people working in adult social care are paid. It includes information about: 

The LeDeR report has now been published after being delayed and withdrawn in December. 

Read the report here

LeDeR could lead to real change. That is why representatives from Learning Disability England wrote to NHS England and the Minister, Dr Ahmed MP when the report was withdrawn. 

Read the original statement and letter here

As reps said at the time, “The reports are not just numbers or statistics. They are about real people who have died, often in ways that didn’t have to happen and every delay has felt like another barrier to change.” 

NHS England has announced that the 2023 LeDeR report is being withdrawn and will be republished in January 2026.

LeDeR stands for Learning from Lives and Deaths of People with a Learning Disability and Autistic People. 

It looks at why people with a learning disability or autistic people die earlier than others and what can be learned to stop this happening.

An update for members from Sam Clark – Chief Executive at Learning Disability England.

In the last week, I went to two of the Casey Commission’s evidence sessions to speak up for members. 

This was unusual for Learning Disability England. Normally, members would take part themselves, but the Commission said only one person could attend.

The Rep Body Co-chairs and I agreed that I would go and represent all three voice groups.