Warwickshire’s commitment to disabled people
An agreement between directors of adult social services and leaders of the country's major charities for disabled people has today been welcomed by Warwickshire County Council’s Strategic Director for Adults, Health and Community Service, Dr Graeme Betts.
He has joined directors around the country in today committing to work towards a common purpose: improving the quality of life for adults with disabilities, their carers and their supporters.
The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group works with 700,000 adults with disabilities, while the Association of Directors of Adult Services represents all directors of adult social services in England and Northern Ireland.
The framework for co-operation between the two organisations says they are pledged to identify areas of common concern, which can be most effectively addressed through: enhanced sharing of information; increased collaboration; and more dedicated joint work.
In a jointly signed Concordat, they express their joint aim as being to "embed a culture for people-driven practice and service that is in accord with the underpinning principles of the government’s White Paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say."
Dr Betts said: “I welcome this approach as an addition to the work already underway in Warwickshire with the voluntary sector and charities, and hopefully this could lead the way to many more partnerships in the future.”
The document says that "the framework will ensure that the ADASS’s commissioning expertise, operational experience, planning skills and networks are brought together with the VODG’s expertise in service delivery, specialist knowledge and commitment to innovation."
To achieve this, ADASS and VODG will seek to:
Ensure that the commissioning and provision of services for adults with disabilities are given proper priority with respect to their needs and expectations,
Work together to influence central government policy and to provide well-informed feedback on policy implementation and economic outcomes,
Support each other by making every effort to share information on initiatives and developments of potential mutual benefit.
Other areas in which VODG and ADASS will collaborate include workforce issues and workforce planning, good practice and research, as well as influencing regulatory bodies with the aim of ensuring that regulation keeps pace with innovation and person-centered outcomes.
Anne Williams, President of ADASS, said: "This is an important and exciting development for disabled people as we bring the complementary skills of our two organisations together. The professional expertise that VODG offers disabled people will be well-matched by the rapid advances in commissioning techniques that directors of adult social services bring to the table."
John Adams, VODG’s General Secretary, said: "On behalf of our members the VODG is delighted to sign this Concordat with ADASS which very positively reflects our shared values and determination to work together towards improving the life chances of disabled people. It recognises the critical relationship that exists between commissioners and providers and the need for mature co-operation in order to use resources to greatest effect."