§ Mr. Blizzard:To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the targets for service improvements for adults with learning disabilities set out in the White Paper, Valuing People, to be achieved. [143502]
§ Dr. Ladyman:The White Paper, "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st" Century" (Cm 5086), published in March 2001, sets out our proposals for improving services for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers. The White Paper said that it would take a minimum of five years to make the changes it described.
756WWe have made good progress since "Valuing People" was published, with the basic framework for achieving change now in place:
- The Learning Disability Task Force
- Learning Disability Partnership Boards at local council level
- The National Forum of People with Learning Disabilities
- The Valuing People Support Team, headed by the National Director for Valuing People
- A range of guidance, and plans developed by partnership boards to deliver change locally in areas such as person-centred planning, employment, and housing and support.
The Learning Disability Task Force monitors the progress of "Valuing People" and reports to the Government on this.
Our annual report on learning disability, "Making Change Happen" (HC 514), published in April 2003, described the progress made in implementing the "Valuing People" proposals; a copy was sent to all English hon. and right hon. Members. Our next annual report will describe developments since April.