Local Government Service Group Conference 13-14 June 2010

Supporting choice for disabled people

Mark Ferguson

Disabled people should have as much independence and control as possible over their own care packages and these should be of high quality with improved pay and conditions for staff, said Local Government Conference.

The Service Group Executive will campaign for a universal model of social care paid for through taxation and national insurance; and a refocusing away from the market and back to in-house providers, to enable disabled people to have proper choice in their care provision.

Mark Ferguson, of the Service Group Executive, told conference that rather than providing more choice, because of underfunding, personalisation is becoming synonymous with less choice, increased privatisation and the growth of an unregulated care service.

"UNISON would like to see more importance placed on the role of in-house provision as guarantors of service continuity and stability, especially in these times of economic uncertainty," said Mark, calling for priority to be given to developing good practice models within council provided care and support services.

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