Autistic people and those with learning disabilities are under threat from a new Bristol City Council policy that could force them into residential care.
That’s the view of Mark Williams, a campaigner with disabled people’s group Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living.
Williams has told ITV West Country that because autistic people and those with severe learning disabilities have high support needs they “risk having their support cut and being moved to care homes”.
Disability Rights UK’s Michael Erhardt has suggested cost-cutting measures in Bristol that threaten disabled people’s independence could be rolled out elsewhere
Bristol says its proposed new Fair and Affordable Care Policy focuses on meeting people’s needs in the most “cost-effective way”.
Duty to make sure there is enough money
The council says it must make sure there is enough money for everyone who needs care.
The authority says where packages designed to enable the person to remain at home “substantially exceed” the cost of residential care it may consider alternatives.
Michael Erhardt is a campaigner with Disability Rights UK.
Policy ‘punishes disabled’
He claimed the policy punishes disabled people. He added it was a “brazen” attempt to remove their independent living and called for it to be withdrawn.
But he also said councils are getting “less than they need” from central government. He demanded “immediate support”.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said the Government has made £8.1bn available this year and next for adult social care.
Also, the spokesperson said the Government was providing an extra £700m to improve the care system. This included investing in care workers’ skills and technology, and adapting people’s homes so they can live independently.
Consultation until end of January
Bristol is consulting on its new policy until 31 January.
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said it would consider “all the comments and feedback” before making any decisions.
To take part in the Council’s Fair and Affordable Care Policy Consultation, click here.
Related:
- £5,500 cut for families with disability
- UK Government is failing disabled people
- Government ‘not protecting disabled’
Published: 6 January 2023
THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED: www.autismeye.com/bristol-city-council-care-policy/
