Influencing policy
We were a founding member of Learning Disability England; one Dimensions colleague, Kate, currently sits on the rep body and another, Jordan, is a Trustee. It has never been more important that Learning Disability England has a strong and powerful voice.
Matt, who we support, is the co-chair of the Lived Experience Working Group of the Adult Social Care All Party Parliamentary Group. Our CEO Rachael is on the Board of the National Care Forum. Our former CEO Steve spent time as the Chair of VODG, the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group.
We’re particularly proud of our role within More than a Provider, a group of six not-for-profit organisations like us. Together we support more than 13,000 people, working across 80% of local authorities in England and Wales to deliver support worth over £650million each year.
More than a Provider is currently working with government to improve the sustainability of supported living with a new costing tool which improves transparency on the costs of providing this support.
More than a Provider also works with Social Care Future towards person-centred commissioning so that people can live ordinary lives in the community.
You can find out more about the work of More than a Provider here.
We’ve used our position on CQC’s “Market Oversight” group to highlight, through independent research with Cordis Bright, the financial impact of numerous policy decisions to government.
A more satisfied workforce
Last but not least, we believe our partnership with Unison – including joint bargaining arrangements and a full-time national union convenor – contributes to creating the conditions for a more satisfied and longer term workforce than most. See what colleagues have to say about working with us. And read what our Unison rep Sam said to the Prime Minister recently.
Academic partners
Our support model, Activate, was developed through research with the University of Kent’s Tizard Centre. We’ve supported the University of Birmingham’s IMPACT centre on their research, “Why are we stuck in hospital?” And we’re currently in the early stages of shaping some work with the University of Sheffield looking at the conditions for great outcomes when young people transition to adulthood.
What shall we talk about? Contact us