Glossary
LEARNING DISABILITY
A learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development throughout their life.1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability, so it's one of the most common forms of disability in the UK but also one of the least understood.
SOCIAL CARE
The term 'social care' covers a wide range of services, which are provided by local authorities and the independent sector. Social care comes in many forms, such as care at home, in day centres or by way of residential or nursing homes. The term also covers services such as providing meals on wheels to the elderly, home help for people with disabilities and fostering services.
STAKEHOLDER
Persons, agencies and organizations who have an interest, investment or 'stake in the lives of people with learning disabilities. The definition starts with the people themselves, their families, friends and carers, those who are interested in their health and well being and their involvement in the community and the local social care system. This broad definition includes persons and organizations that benefit from and/or participate in the delivery of services for people with learning disabilities.
LDC COALITION
A group of ten charities who are dedicated to ensuring that there is enough public funding to make sure that people with learning disabilities have the same chances and choice as everyone else.
CARE SERVICES IMPROVEMENT PARTNERSHIP (CSIP)
The care services improvement partnership is part of the care services directorate at the Department of Health. Most of the staff and services are based in eight regional development centres spread all over the country. Hosted in local NHS organisations the regional services should respond more flexibly to people locally, regionally and nationally.
CSIP works with the statutory, voluntary and private sectors to make the best use of the full range of resources and expertise available to improve services.
Richard Humphries is the chief executive.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Department of Health's aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of England. Its work includes setting national standards and shaping the direction of the NHS and social care services, and promoting healthier living.
Health and social care services are delivered through the NHS, local authorities, arm's length bodies and other public and private sector organisations.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Demographics are the physical characteristics of a population such as age, sex, marital status, family size, education, geographic location, and occupation. On this web site we also use the term to describe the actual number of people with learning disabilities.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Local authorities provide essential services to people living in a specific local area. Officials are employed to ensure that services are delivered to local residents. Members of the local council determine the priorities and are democratically elected. This is called local government.
The services provided are listed below. There is considerable guidance from central government departments.
education - elections
environment and environmental health
fire and rescue service - housing
licensing parks and recreation - planning
social services - trading standards
transport, roads and highways
waste disposal and collection