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Information for Individuals. . .In March 2001 the white paper ‘Valuing People’ was published. Valuing people set out ideas for improving the lives of people with learning disabilities. Around that time Learning Difficulties and Ethnicity was also published. This was a report that showed that people with learning disabilities and their families from minority ethnic communities are amongst the most disadvantaged groups in our society. Despite often having very high support needs, services are less likely to be offered or taken up. And service providers often don’t take into account peoples ethnicity, culture or religion, so the services that are offered are not appropriate. The most important place to make change happen is at local level. Local action for local improvement is the real key to change. Valuing people reminds us that people with learning disabilities from minority ethnic communities face substantial inequalities and discrimination in accessing employment, education, health and social services and that this needs to change: people with learning disabilities from minority ethnic communities must no longer be marginalized or excluded. The government has identified many ways in which services and support to people with learning disabilities from minority ethnic communities are failing to meet the needs of individuals and their families. There are a small number of innovative initiatives across the country. Theses are not widespread and the government expects all agencies to improve their practice to fulfil the objectives of the NHS plan and legal obligations set out in the race relation (Amendment) Act 2000. Learning Difficulties and Ethnicity: A Framework for Action commissioned by the Department of Health and Valuing People Support Team sets out a thorough process to help people examine what they are doing and begin on a journey to improve services and supports for minority ethnic communities. We believe working in partnership with communities will begin to tackle the longstanding problems for people from minority ethnic communities with learning disabiliValuing people Now Says that valuing people will only be successful if it is working for everyone. All services must do what the Race Relations Amendment Act says. This means that all the things in valuing people now will need to be checked for their Impact on Minority Ethnic Communities. The Race Relations Amendment Act States that all public bodies have a legal responsibility to assess and consult on how their policies, service delivery and functions affect different racial groups, and to monitor any possible negative impact on Race, Age, Disability, Gender, Sexual orientation, Religion and Belief. The North West training and development team aim to support services to help all people get better lives for themselves and their families We have developed programmes, which look at removing discriminatory barriers and empowering communities from different backgrounds. We feel individuals are empowered through services, which recognise their needs, including cultural and religious needs. Organisations need to provide the right support to individuals to adopt roles that are appropriate to their communities. Although much information is already available about the needs of people from minority ethnic community, gaps still remain. What is also needed is commitment at all levels to develop services to address those needs. The NWTDT has linked with many networks where we continue to develop around areas in ethnicity. We are doing this through developing programmes, bespoke pieces of work and individuals to deliver on specific priorities, which are in line with valuing people NOW.. There will be a wide range of events around ethnicity that will be focused on promoting equality as an essential for individuals to fulfil their potential, and to make sure all equality strands are implemented Outcomes:
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