Lansley's plan for continuing care personal budgets 'could save £300m a year'


The recent Panorama programme has created quite a stir: here are few responses for your information:
Jim Mansell's response
Peter McGill and Glynis Murphy (Tizard Centre)'s response
National Valuing Families Forum's response

Professional Conference 2011 - book now
New Job Opportunities with Autism Charity in Teesside
Adult and Community Learning Fund 2011 (England) 
Personal Assistant Training Courses The MAIN Project have spaces available for their June courses. 
Entrepreneurial Workshop Programme is being launched by The MAIN Project
Information for providers: Think Local Act Personal
Autism Works has submitted a proposal to the Government's Innovation Pad
Get Connected - at The Autism Show, ExCel, London, 24-25th June
Last North of Tyne RIEP Newsletter
Autism Works is now receiving expressions of interest

New Job Opportunities with Autism Charity in Teesside Education and Services for People with Autism (ESPA) Ltd, in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus, are holding a jobs fayre in Middlesbrough on 8th June. We are seeking part-time and full-time support staff for new and exciting services being developed in the Teesside region for people with autism. Please see poster attached. ESPA is already a well established specialist provider of support for people on the Autism Spectrum in the Tyne and Wear area with an extensive range of provision and services, and employing over 500 staff. Development in the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley area is a direct response to regional demand and ESPA are looking for applications from local people to join them in providing such support services. There are a number of posts to fill in the next couple of months and it is expected that this will increase as services are developed in the region. Working with people on the Autism Spectrum can be an extremely rewarding career. The support needs of individuals require a personalised approach. As a result staff gain a diverse range of learning opportunities and experiences, supported by substantial and specialist training. You can expect a competitive salary and excellent terms and conditions. There is scope for professional career development for those with the ambition, determination and positive attitude to the work. If you feel this may be a career for you and would like to know more, please come along to the Jobs Fayre which starts at 10am at The Thistle Hotel, Middlesbrough on 8th June, where you can talk to ESPA staff about the positions available, complete an application form (support is available to complete applications) and find out more about a career with ESPA charity. If you prefer you can also find an application form to download on the website at www.espa.org.uk , or phone Jemma Scott on 0191 5165080 to have one sent to you, and it bring along on the day with you. ESPA prides itself on caring for and the professional development of their staff, including on-going training, pension contributions and excellent annual leave allowances. Successful applicants through the Jobs Fayre will receive 3 weeks comprehensive induction training in June and July in preparation for the role(s) ahead.

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Adult and Community Learning Fund The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) has announced the Adult and Community Learning Fund (which is a new fund from the Skills Funding Agency, administered by NIACE) is open for applications. A total of £2.5 million is available through this fund and organisations and partnerships in England can apply for funding of between £10,000 and £75,000 for projects that support informal adult and community learning for people aged 19 and over. Bids are welcomed from the public, private and third sectors, including organisations from all backgrounds including culture, heritage, nature, sport, health, community regeneration, art and craft, broadcasting and technology. NIACE are particularly looking for collaborations, especially between organisations that are beginning to work together more. All bids must include one partner already receiving funding directly from the Skills Funding Agency, although they need not be the lead partner. All activity funded needs to be completed by the 1st March 2012. All projects should be ready to start on 1st September 2011, if not before. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on the 10th June 2011…

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Last North of Tyne RIEP Newsletter. The first phase of the North of Tyne LDD Pilot Project is now drawing to a close and the handover to the second phase is about to commence. So much has been achieved in such a short space of time, so this newsletter will recap what has happened.

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Autism Works, a social enterprise which provides software testing services, and positively discriminates towards employing adults with an ASC has added an Expression of Interest form to its website, which can be accessed, completed and submitted at www.autismworks.co.uk/work-with-us/expression-of-interest.  The purpose of gathering this information is to enable us to build a pool of people seeking employment which will assist us in reducing the time and costs associated with the traditional recruitment process (eg.we will save on advertisements).

The form is open to all adults with an ASC interested in working in Software Testing. Please note that it is not an application for employment, but if those interested complete this form, we can keep them posted as to when vacancies arise.

We aim to embark on recruiting our first two employees during the first quarter of 2011.

I would be very much obliged if you could pass this news on to any adults with an ASC and also through any autism networks whom you think may be interested.  If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me (Chris Mitchell, Operations Manager,

Email: chris.mitchell@autismworks.co.uk

Tel: 0191 516 5080

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Autism Works has submitted a proposal to the Government's Innovation Pad. This is a 'Dragon Den' style event where successful ideas will receive support from business entrepreneurs to help develop Social Enterprises that fit in with Government strategies and that will save the state money. Please follow this link and register your support: www.innovationlaunchpad.cabinetoffice.gov.uk