Care

DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME

ACTION PLANNING

OVERALL AIM: To ensure that we offer a truly Inclusive package of care which actively involves all service users and others with disability

Objective	Specific Actions	Who is Responsible	Target Dates	Outcomes
To implement the Disability Equality Scheme	Prepare service action plan to review functions, policies and procedures and other elements to the scheme	DES working group Heads of Service	Ongoing from Nov 06	Completion of action plans
Raise the standard of disability equality across the centre	The scheme will be reviewed every three years The working party to review monthly the impact on service provided and service user involvement Continuous meetings with service users to elicit their views, suggestions, feedback. Service users to be involved in recruitment, induction and training of staff	As above plus working group Service Manager, Supporting Adult Living. "Speak Up" group	Annual assessment with full review in Dec 09	Centre launch late March to show that we are committed as a centre to this scheme Training to be included in induction package and in annual refreshers (on house or part of adult / child refresher) Revised scheme Continued updates to the scheme Views of service users will be aired and acted upon
Raise public awareness of the scheme	Copy made available on website and summary information published to potential funding authorities and social services department Need to be influential and transparent	Equality Officer and heads of departments	Ongoing from Dec 06	Increased awareness of the DLC's commitment to eliminate discrimination Publish results after data collection via internet, intranet, newsletters, reports
To meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005	Review all functions and policies of the DLC according to our duty to promote disability equality	As above	Ongoing from Dec 06	Review functions and policies as per the scheme
To ensure meaningful involvement with appropriate support mechanisms with a cross section of service users	Timetable meetings and ensure that different methods of involvement are used - ie face to face interviews, emails, questionnaires Look at physical / sensory and policies and procedures Service users' "Speak Up" group to support and value. Residents' Question Time to be facilitated on a regular basis	DES working group Service Manager, Supporting Adult Living. "Speak Up" group	Ongoing from Dec 07	All service users are given the opportunity to have their say in a preferred method of communication. All level of disability is represented in the decision making process
To identify service needs of residents, students and young people and the barriers to them accessing services Ensure that services promote independence and choice	Collaborative working in partnerships, review and monitor Develop ways to measure success Ensure that the person centred planning process is utilised fully, putting the person at the forefront of all planning	DES working group	Ongoing from 2005	Increase in the number of service users who can access services by removing barriers
To identify the financial outlay of adjusting our service in line with the Disability Equality Scheme	Information and data gathering exercise	DES working group Executive Board / Trustees	Ongoing from Dec 06	To establish the financial outlay for reasonable adjustments but compliant with the scheme in relation to the size of the organisation in relation to property, services provided, service users and staff
Communication	Regular review of augmentive communication aids and written formats Ongoing meetings with adult service users.	Speech and language team, Communication team. Service Manager, Supporting Adult Living	Ongoing from Dec 06	To ensure that service users receive and give information in a way that meets their personal needs To ensure service users are updated on Centre
Access to employment	Improve employability skills for the residents / students Promote meaningful engagement in work activities / work experience	Vocational Access Team Connexions Day Services Vocational Sen Tutor (College)	April 07	To work in partnership with job centres, Connexions and potential employers for them to understand why there is a need to adjust application forms / the interview process/ working environment to facilitate the opportunities for persons with a learning or physical disability.
Pre inspection and SAR	To ensure disability equality issues are integrated into the pre inspection process To ensure that service user involvement and views are included in SAR	Service Managers and Directors	July 07	Ensure questions and answers are included in any pre inspection paperwork including self assessment reports which show integration of disability equality in our processes. Also how, as a service, we monitor performance and address issues. Ensure service user involvement is demonstrated to regulatory bodies
Health care services to our residents, service users	To ensure that all residents / students / young people have a Health Action Plan in place which is kept up to date To ensure that all our residents / young people and students have appropriate access to medical support. To ensure that residents can access medical support confidentially should they wish to do so.	Nurses Clinical Managers House Managers Serv Mgrs	Sept 07 Ongoing	To work with the nursing staff to implement fully the HAPs across the centre. To review our GP/ Dentist / Optician services to ensure access for all as and when needed Ensure rights of people with disabilities to privacy and dignity.