RightsInfo aim is to bring human rights to life using infographics, stories and social media. The project is the brainchild of leading barrister Adam Wagner, founder of the UK Human Rights Blog. UK Human Rights Blog believes human rights in the UK have an image problem. The public debate is based on misinformation and lack… Continue Reading
New – The Festival Year Calendar 2016
The Justposters Festival Year for 2016 is now available, with its distinctive spiral calendar, details the festivals and celebrations of twelve of the world’s Faiths and Beliefs. It’s available in either paper or laminated form. Laminated means your poster is protected, on both sides, by a thin sheet of film providing a glossy sealed finish.… Continue Reading
Turban workplace rule removed
New rules recently introduced by the government mean that Sikhs no longer have to wear head protection in any workplaces. Sikhs working in the construction industry have been exempted from rules requiring head protection since 1989, but those working in less dangerous industries, such as factories and warehouses, were not. This meant that Sikhs in… Continue Reading
Number of learning disabled people in hospital care remains high – Why?
The number of people with learning disabilities in hospital placements has remained virtually unchanged for six months despite a national push to move them into community settings. The latest Health & Social Care Information Centre figures for England show there were 2,600 inpatients with learning disabilities at the end of August, almost unchanged since March… Continue Reading
Union wins travelling time case in European court
Large numbers of workers, Including home care workers, could be entitled to more pay or a reduction in hours after the European court of justice ruled that travel to and from some jobs could be counted as part of a working day. In a judgment which takes effect immediately, the Luxembourg-based court said this should… Continue Reading
Local authorities to be inspected on special educational need provision
Local authorities will be inspected specifically on their special educational needs provision from May 2016. For the first time Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission will inspect local authorities – as well as nurseries, schools, further education and health services – on how they identify and support children and young people with special educational needs,… Continue Reading
Vulnerable teenagers forced out of accommodation and into crisis
A thousand vulnerable teenagers across the country are being evicted from accommodation provided by their local authority or made to leave at short notice every year, new research from The Children’s Society reveals. The charity’s report, On Your Own Now: The risks of unsuitable accommodation for older teenagers, surveyed 119 housing providers used by local… Continue Reading
Nice criticises ‘flying home care visits’ as short as 5 minutes
Staff who undertake social care visits to 470,000 mainly elderly people a year must spend 30 minutes helping to keep them well, said the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).It wants an end to the situation where many visits are so short and rushed that recipients have to choose between getting washed or… Continue Reading
NEW DVD Course – Equality, Dignity and Human Rights for healthcare professionals
CODE UK has launched a new DVD course Equality, Dignity and Human Rights for healthcare professionals. Presented by Making Waves, Ann Khambatta, the course is aimed at all health professionals working within primary care settings. The course aims to increase the awareness and understanding of the way equality, dignity and human rights combine to meet… Continue Reading
Under-18s should be treated as ‘children first’ by police officers
Police officers dealing with under-18s should treat them as “children first” rather than potential criminals, the organisation representing police chiefs has said. The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Children and Young People Strategy calls on officers to take into account their vulnerability when they deal with them. A strategy document published by the National Police Chiefs’… Continue Reading
Channel Islands first Pride parade hosts thousands
Thousands of people turned out for the Channel Islands first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pride parade.The event, organised by Guernsey-based campaign group Liberate, comes two weeks before the States of Jersey are due to vote on equal marriage.Organiser Christian May said he was amazed at the support from the community and business.He said: “Growing… Continue Reading
Moving Up – Black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders programme
The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Leaders Programme was developed in recognition of the importance of having a more representative leadership profile in the adult social care workforce. It was developed by the National Skills Academy for Social Care (now merged with Skills for Care) The Moving Up – BAME Programme is for Black, Asian… Continue Reading
Pregnancy & maternity in the workplace campaign
The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) #worksforme campaign on managing pregnancy and maternity in the workplace was launched in July. The EHRC’s latest research shows that while many employers are supportive of women who are pregnant or on maternity leave, many women report discrimination, harassment and unfair dismissal. Sadly not all businesses realise the… Continue Reading
Child’s disability benefit suspension breached human rights
The suspension of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) of a disabled child during his stay in hospital was in breach of the Human Rights Act, the Supreme Court has found. In a precedent-setting case, Cameron Mathieson’s family challenged the DLA regulations, which stop financial support when a child has spent more than 84 days in… Continue Reading
‘Charity’ by Damien Hirst
Damien Hirst’s ‘Charity’, a 22-foot bronze sculpture based on The Spastics Society (now ‘Scope’) collection boxes commonly found outside local chemists in the 1960s, was installed in front of the Gherkin on display in the City of London as part of Sculpture in the City 2015. Monumental yet vulnerable, the work plays on the art… Continue Reading
UCL & Mencap – ‘Changing attitudes to learning disability’
The report, ‘Changing attitudes to learning disability: A review of the evidence’, was written by Dr Katrina Scior and Dr Shirli Werner. It analyses what attitudes exist towards people with a learning disability and how negative attitudes are having a harmful effect on people’s lives. They also point to key actions that can be taken… Continue Reading
First ever survey of children’s experiences of hospitals
Almost 19,000 children and young people who stayed in hospital overnight or were seen as a day patient took part in the Care Quality Commission’s first children and young person’s survey.The findings highlight that the vast majority of children and young people said they were happy with the care received, thought staff did everything possible… Continue Reading
Same-sex marriage referendum
On May 22nd Ireland voted in a referendum to approve changing the Constitution to extend civil marriage rights to same-sex couples.Voters made history as the republic became the first country whose electorate voted to legalise gay marriage. The referendum saw 62.1 percent of voters say “yes” to defining marriage as a union between two people… Continue Reading
Repeal of Human Rights Act on hold
The Government appeared to delay plans to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. While many of the Conservative manifesto commitments were in the legislative agenda, the Queen’s speech at the end of May said only that ‘proposals’ would be brought forward for a British Bill of Rights.Shami Chakrabarti,… Continue Reading
Comment – Autism diagnosis crisis
From a blog by Jane Harris, Director of External Affairs and Social Change, The National Autistic Society.“People on the autism spectrum and their families know what it’s like to wait. On average, people wait more than two years from asking to be assessed for autism to actually getting a diagnosis. But at the moment, the… Continue Reading