Learning Disability Coalition
New advisors help get learning disability issues heard
07 April 2008
High-profile professionals from across the private, public and voluntary sectors have come together to fight for a fair deal for people with a learning disability. The newly formed advisory board has been set up to support the Learning Disability Coalition in its work to raise the profile of learning disability issues in the light of the adult social care green paper due later this year.
The group of advisors will provide support for the Coalition by providing objective advice on strategy, policy and profile.
Members of the advisory board span various professions, bringing a breadth of experience to the campaign. They include former senior civil servant Sir Christopher Kelly, who is currently the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Chairman of the Financial Ombudsman Service and Chairman of the NSPCC; Prof Eric Emerson: Professor of Disability and Health Research at the University of Lancaster and Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Health at the University of Sydney; David Brindle, Public services editor, Guardian; Dr Stephen Ladyman MP, Labour MP for South Thanet and former Care Services Minister and Transport Minister; Nick Brookes, non-executive director, Next; and Prof. Martin Knapp, Director of the Personal Social Services Research Unit at the London School of Economics, Professor of Social Policy and co-director of LSE Health and Social Care (see full list of members below).
Dame Jo Williams, Chair of the Learning Disability Coalition and chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to tap into such a wealth of knowledge. The next few months are vital if we are to ensure that the adult social care green paper delivers for people with a learning disability. We want to make sure the government provides enough public money so that all people with a learning disability have access to good quality care.”
Learning Disability Coalition Advisory Board members
Sir Christopher Kelly: former senior civil servant who is currently the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Chairman of the Financial Ombudsman Service and Chairman of the NSPCC.
Prof Eric Emerson: Professor of Disability and Health Research at the University of Lancaster and Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Health at the University of Sydney.
David Brindle: Public services editor, Guardian. Visiting fellow at the centre for citizen participation at Brunel University.
Prof. Luke Clements: Professor at Cardiff Law School and a consultant solicitor specialising in public and human rights proceedings on behalf of socially excluded groups, in particular disabled people and Roma.
Prof. Jim Mansell: Professor of Learning Disability at the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent and a commissioner for the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Also a trustee of United Response.
Prof. Martin Knapp: Director of the Personal Social Services Research Unit at the London School of Economics, Professor of Social Policy and co-director of LSE Health and Social Care.
Lord Adebowale: Chief Executive, Turning Point and Co-Chair of the Black and Minority Ethnic Mental Health National Steering Group.
Lord Brian Rix CBE DL: President of Mencap
Dr Stephen Ladyman MP: Labour MP for South Thanet and former Care Services Minister and Transport Minister
Nick Brookes: non-executive director, Next. Former Chairman, British American Racing.
Dame Jo Williams DBE: Chief Executive, Mencap, Co-Chair of the Learning Disability Coalition
Karen Flood: Co-Chair of National Forum for People with Learning Difficulties and Co Chair of the Learning Disability Coalition