Date: Tuesday 21st February 2023
Time: 09:15 – 13:30
“Our ultimate goal is that, across England, people with a learning disability and autistic people are equal citizens able to fulfil their potential. They are supported to live full lives in their community, in their home, with access to the care that is right for them, when and where they need it. Just like everyone else.” *
The challenges facing adults with autism or learning disabilities are vast and pressures are mounting. At this crucial time, we are pleased to announce our Improving Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autistic People Digital Conference. With a particular focus on community-based services, we will address the priorities to improve support to enable people with learning disabilities or autistic people to live fulfilled and independent lives.
Recent policy, including the Building the Right Support Action Plan, and proposals to the Mental Health Act, reaffirms the importance of good quality services in improving quality of life for autistic people or adults with learning difficulties. Key commitments include:
- Reducing the number of people with a learning disability or autistic people in inpatient care by 50% by March 2024
- Proposed new duties on commissioners to ensure adequate community-based services
- Improved monitoring for the risk of crisis at a local level
- Speeding up the discharge process, with an additional targeted funding of £90m in 2022-23.
We will cover the government plans to reduce reliance on mental health inpatient care and ensure people can live independently in their communities. You will gain insights on funding and where investment should be targeted to best support people. You will hear best practice guidance to help you to provide meaningful, accessible, person-centred services.
Bringing together government, public services and charities, this half day digital conference will be an opportunity for sectors to come together, share insights, network, and strengthen the support network for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people.
* Department of Health and Social Care, August 2022
