Jamie Hailstone 15 September 2016

£25m fund launched to help people with learning disabilities

The Government has launched a £25m housing and technology fund to help people with learning disabilities live independently.

Local authorities and community organisations will be able to bid for between £10k and £3m to help use technology to adapt the homes of people with learning disabilities.

According to the Department of Health, the technology could include floor sensors to monitor for falls or fingerprint scanners for doors.

The deadline for applications is 28 October.

‘The Government is determined to improve the life chances of people with learning disabilities, and to make sure they never feel excluded from society,’ said health minister, David Mowat.

‘We want to harness all the benefits of technology to achieve this.’

The Department of Health said the new fund will complement the Transforming Care programme, which aims to move people out of hospitals and into the community.

The chief executive of Learning Disability England, Alicia Wood, said the new £25m fund will create ‘new models of housing and support that give people with learning disabilities a real stake in their communities’.

‘We know that a lack of housing choices for people with learning disabilities is only partly down to the need for capital, and what stops people and their families getting the solutions they want is a lack of creative thinking,’ added Ms Wood.

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner