Policy and Influencing | Harnessing Our Collective Voice

In this issue we discuss recent elections and the King's Speech and share information on a letter to the PM about the Golders Green attacks. We also feature VODG's responses to consultations, and invite members to contribute to new initiatives.

In this update: call to action to engage with ICB leads on neighbourhood health, the Independent Expert Panel on transitions, and a busy week for employment rights and SEND in Parliament.

Right to Try regulations, a busy week for SEND in Parliament, and upcoming meetings with DHSC on the Mental Health Act and Liberty Protection Safeguards. Plus, an exclusive member session with Ofsted, and an invitation to contribute case studies on housing support for people with a learning disability and autistic people, and the Civil Society Covenant.

In this update we share the latest on SEND reform, highlight the newly published Neighbourhood Health Framework, summarise Wes Streeting's major NHS reform speech, and flag the Timms Review Call for Evidence, the King's Speech, a joint civil society letter, and two new reports on public satisfaction with the NHS and social care.

In this update we share our response to Baroness Casey's speech at the Nuffield Trust Summit and invite members to share their experiences on SEND reforms, staff recruitment, CQC inspections and the Timms Review of PIP.

In this edition we share an update on The Chancellor's Spring Statement, VODG's engagement with Ministers on the Adult Social Care Fair Pay Agreement and invite members to join a call with Department for Business and Trade colleagues on zero hours contracts.

In this edition we have updates on the LGA's major consultation on adult social care to inform the Casey Commission, new Universal Credit regulations coming into force in April, and the Local Government Finance Settlement.

In this update we invite members to contribute to the Casey Commission's Phase 1 report with no/low-cost ideas, to share a vital survey with young disabled people on SEND reform, and to provide case studies demonstrating the value of VCSE services across mental health, autism and ADHD support, neighbourhood health initiatives, and the wider third sector.

Of particular interest will be the nominal funding allocations to local authorities and priorities for adult social care, set out following the local government settlement in December. 

The meeting focused on launching a consultation for the Fair Pay Agreement in adult social care, with presentations from Department of Health and Social Care representatives who explained the consultation's purpose, implementation timeline, and funding details.