Welcome to our November 2017 Em.Bold.en newsletter. This is a regular update to let you know what we’ve been doing and planned events for 2018.
The Embolden project (funded by Comic Relief) was started to give a strong voice for older families who have relatives with learning disabilities to influence decision makers, hold them to account and improve services.
The Embolden project aims to give a strong voice to family carers and to influence and hold decision makers to account within health and social care services.
This report sets out the current knowledge on the numbers of older family carers in Oxfordshire, caring for an adult relative or friend with a learning disability (LD).
It aims to make the case for increasing current knowledge in health and social care services – both statutory and independent of the numbers and profiles of older carers of people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire, in order to meet their needs and plan support for their futures.
To read the full report follow the link to:
The number of older family carers of people with a learning disability in Oxfordshire
This year Oxfordshire Family Support Network (OxFSN) ran a series of workshops around the county to explore, debate and create solutions for families supporting adults with learning disabilities, especially older families.
Read the first Embolden Newsletter December 2016
The Embolden Project (funded by Comic Relief) asked carers:
The aim of the project is to give a strong voice to family carers and to influence and hold decision makers to account within health and social care services.
OxFSN will schedule more Embolden events and workshops in 2017.
Family carers at the “Meet the Decision Makers” event in November 2016
26/06/2014
A new report commissioned by Healthwatch Oxfordshire and delivered by the Oxfordshire Family Support Network (OxFSN) sheds light on the difficulties faced by families seeking appropriate care and support for loved ones with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and mental health needs or challenging behaviours.
The report highlights the failures in respect of the current system in Oxfordshire and calls on local commissioners to work with families and service users to create services which meet their needs by working with them as ‘experts by experience’.
To read the full report please click on the link here,
A Local Experience of National Concern
Further information is also available by following the link to Healthwatch Oxfordshire.
Proposed Changes to Adult Social Care Contributions Policy by Oxfordshire County Council and Possible implications for people with a learning disability.
Oxfordshire County Council are proposing to streamline the current policy for assessing financial contributions. The consultation on this is open until April 3rd 2018
OxFSN believes that the council are genuinely seeking to simplify and speed up this process, and we understand why there is a particular focus on older people, as the largest group of people in receipt of social care services. However, we are deeply concerned that this is likely to have a much bigger impact on those with the most complex needs…
Read the response in full here:
We worked with Tom Skinner from Age UK Oxfordshire on another film. This film shows some of our older family carers talking about the benefits of supported living and the difference it has made to all their lives.
Families asked us to produce some simple guidance on the Care Act 2014 so they know what their rights and rights of their relative are.
Follow the link to our:
Related information that will be of interest:
Embolden Coffee Morning – Witney
Wednesday 8th November
10 am – 12.30 pm
@Family Solution Services, Witan Way, Witney
Embolden Coffee Morning – Abingdon
10 am – 12.30 pm
tbc
Embolden Coffee Morning – Didcot
Monday 13th November
10 am – 12.30 pm
@ 30 Tamar Way, Didcot
Embolden Coffee Morning – Oxford
Tuesday 21st November
10 am – 12.30 pm
@Slade House, Horsepath Driftway, Headington
Embolden Coffee Morning – Wantage
Wednesday 29th November
10 am – 12.30 pm
The Wantage Mix, 15 Mill Street, Wantage
For further information contact:
Gail Hanrahan tel: 07891 734987 or email: Gail.Hanrahan@oxfsn.org.uk
Kathy Liddell tel: 07786 731634 or email: Kathy.liddell@oxfsn.org.uk
