The DH is to appoint a new ‘tsar’ with learning disabilities. They
will work alongside the current National Director for Learning
Disabilities Rob Greig.

As part of their role, the new tsar will co-chair, with Rob Greig,
the Learning Disabilities Taskforce.

National Director for Learning Disabilities, Rob Greig said:
“Appointing a person with learning disabilities to this salaried role
is a significant step forward. I hope other organisations follow our
lead and employ people with learning disabilities at the highest
possible level.”

Minister Liam Byrne spoke at the Learning Disabilities Today
conference today (Wednesday 23 November) and confirmed that ?40m
would continue to be identified for people with Learning Disabilities
through the Learning Disability Development Fund, which will be kept
in its present form until at least March 2008.

Minister Liam Byrne said: “To make sure that we are looking after
each other in society, we have to weave a web of care around the
individual. We have an ambitious agenda for people with learning
disabilities and are determined that they will have more choice and
independence in their lives.”

As part of the change to his role, from 1 April 2006, Rob Greig will
hand over the management of the Valuing People Support Team (VPST) to
the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP), where the VPST are
based.

CSIP has appointed a new ‘National Programme Lead’ for learning
disabilities to champion the learning disability agenda within their
organisation. Sue Carmichael and Debra Moore, both currently Regional
Advisors within the VPST, will job share this role.

These changes bring the learning disability programme in line with
other teams, such as those for older people, mental health and
children, who have a dedicated National Director in addition to
senior people leading the change programme through CSIP.

Rob Greig said: “These moves will allow for more senior leadership
capacity around Valuing People and more resources to help the
Learning Disability Task Force take its work forward.”

Richard Humphries, Chief Executive of CSIP said “People with learning
disabilities face similar challenges to other people in society. They
want access to good healthcare, paid work, quality housing and to be
respected by the community as a whole. Bringing the VPST in to CSIP
will help us to achieve these things.”

Liam Byrne’s speech to Learning Disability Today conference is
available from:
dh