According to recent research from the Resolution Foundation, one in four disabled children lose access to disability benefits as they transition into adulthood. The report, titled Growing Pressures, examines the increasing number of children under 16 with disabilities and its impact on the benefits system. The study found that the number of children receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in England and Wales has doubled over the past decade, reaching 682,000 in 2023. This rise is largely due to an increase in awards for children with learning difficulties, behavioural disorders, and ADHD.

The report highlights that while the number of children receiving DLA has surged, it doesn't reflect an easing of eligibility criteria. Instead, most children awarded DLA have significant care needs that affect their daily lives. Notably, the middle rate care component has seen the largest increase, with a 116% rise over the past decade, while the highest care rate has doubled.

As children approach adulthood, the transition to working-age disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), poses challenges. Although four-fifths of initial DLA-to-PIP reassessments result in a PIP award, 13% of young people fail to make a PIP claim, leading to a significant drop in the number of 16- and 17-year-olds receiving disability benefits.

The Resolution Foundation emphasises the need for a smoother transition between child and adult disability benefits. They argue that addressing the underlying causes of rising disability rates, rather than focusing solely on benefit eligibility, is crucial for creating a sustainable solution.

Millions of people in England experiencing a mental health crisis can now access 24/7 support through a single phone line, as announced by the NHS. By calling 111 and selecting the mental health option, individuals of all ages, including children, can speak to trained professionals who provide guidance, arrange face-to-face support, or direct them to alternative services like crisis cafés or safe havens. This new service replaces the previously separate local crisis lines and aims to simplify access to urgent mental health care across the country.

This initiative positions the NHS in England as one of the first health systems globally to offer comprehensive mental health crisis support through one unified phone number. The service is designed to ensure that people in crisis receive timely and appropriate care, reducing the need for hospital admissions. In cases where there is a life-threatening risk, every emergency department in England now has liaison psychiatric teams available to offer specialised care, ensuring that those in need are not left without critical support.

The NHS has invested an additional £2.3 billion to expand mental health services, including the recruitment of 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and improve access to treatment. The public is encouraged to use this service by calling 111 for urgent mental health support or 999 if there is an immediate risk to life. This expansion reflects the NHS's commitment to addressing the growing demand for mental health care.

Support options, including NHS Talking Therapy Services, are readily available online, ensuring that those with conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD can easily find help. The service also provides tailored support for deaf individuals through the NHS 111 website, making it accessible to a broader population. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that everyone in need can access the mental health support they require.

A new study by the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory reveals that adults with learning disabilities are more likely to die from cancer than the general population, with a higher rate of avoidable cancer deaths. The research, conducted by the University of Glasgow, suggests that later diagnosis, poorer treatment options, and lower treatment compliance may contribute to these worse outcomes.

Published in BMJ Open, the study highlights a greater incidence of metastatic cancer of unknown primary origin among adults with learning disabilities, with three times more deaths occurring at advanced stages compared to the general population. Women with learning disabilities were found to have higher mortality rates from breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cancers of unknown origin, while men were more likely to die from colorectal cancer and similar unknown origin cancers.

Researchers are now advocating for public health strategies that address the specific needs of individuals with learning disabilities. They emphasise the importance of raising awareness among caregivers about cancer symptoms to support early detection. Additionally, clinicians are urged to provide preventive measures and be mindful that cancer in this population often presents at a late stage.

Professor Deborah Cairns, Director of the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory, pointed out that the study highlights persistent health inequalities for people with learning disabilities, including a 20-year mortality gap. Lead researcher Dr. Laura Ward expressed concern over the findings, stressing the need for further investigation into why this population is missing out on potentially lifesaving cancer treatments.

The Disability Advice and Welfare Network (DAWN) has launched an 'Autism Passport' aimed at supporting autistic individuals as they transition from education to employment. This initiative is in response to the findings of the 2024 Buckland report, which revealed that only 30% of autistic adults are in work. DAWN highlights the significant contributions autistic individuals can make to the workplace, including punctuality, dedication, and a strong attention to detail.

Developed in partnership with the Suffolk Law Centre, with input from autistic young people, families, and carers, the Autism Passport provides guidance on various aspects of life, such as Education, Health and Care Plans, financial support, job application processes, disclosing autism, and understanding one’s rights at work.

DAWN’s director, Annie Sands, stressed the importance of showcasing the benefits of employing autistic people, urging businesses to recognise these advantages. Sands also called on the government to act on the recommendations of the Buckland report to make employment more accessible for the autistic community.

In addition to the Employment Passport, DAWN offers another Autism Passport designed to help others quickly understand an individual’s autism and make appropriate adjustments. This resource, available for free download, is useful in various settings, including job centres, healthcare, and legal environments, providing personalised information to facilitate better communication and support for autistic individuals.

More individuals with mental health challenges are being sent far from home for in-patient treatment, despite government pledges to end this practice by 2021. Experts warn that these long-distance placements can lead to prolonged and less effective stays in mental health facilities.

Data from the NHS reveals that while the number of out-of-area placements nearly halved between 2018-19 and 2022-23, it surged by 25% in 2023-24. The government has acknowledged the issue, referring to it as a "broken system" that needs addressing.

Out-of-area placements occur when local beds are unavailable, forcing patients to receive care far from their support networks. This situation can hinder recovery, as patients may struggle to maintain connections with family and friends. In recent years, the use of these placements has increased, despite efforts to reduce them.

The financial burden on the NHS has been significant, with £164 million spent on out-of-area placements in 2023-24, a 43% increase from the previous year. Health professionals emphasise the need for better local support systems and improved community services to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and ensure patients receive care closer to home.

Balancing full-time work and childcare during the summer holidays is particularly challenging for parents in Guernsey, especially for those with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller is campaigning for more support, highlighting the struggles faced by these families.

Parents of SEND children often find it difficult to secure appropriate childcare, even when they can afford it. Marc Winn, a parent of a six-year-old daughter with autism, shared that the lack of suitable care options prevents many parents from working and leads to financial hardship. He describes this situation as a "poverty trap" that forces parents to give up their careers.

Kazantseva-Miller emphasises that providing more childcare support, though costly, is a valuable investment. She encourages participation in the States of Guernsey's work survey to help shape future childcare strategies. The initiative aims to work with childcare providers and encourage employers to offer flexible working arrangements.

Louise Leale, CEO of the Youth Commission for Guernsey and Alderney, noted that rising costs have led to price increases for their summer club, Playscheme. However, they strive to keep prices affordable, with some support available for low-income families.

For the first time, the adult social care sector has united to develop a workforce strategy for adult social care in England. Spearheaded by Skills for Care, this strategy outlines immediate and long-term actions to address workforce challenges.

At a launch event on July 18th, co-Chairs Oonagh Smyth, CEO of Skills for Care, and Sir David Pearson, Director of Adult Social Care in Nottinghamshire, presented the strategy's key points and future steps. The recommendations focus on three areas: attracting and retaining staff, improving training and career development, and transforming the care landscape. To attract and retain social care staff, the strategy emphasises better pay and working conditions. Economic analysts modelled various pay increase scenarios, suggesting even modest pay increases could significantly boost recruitment and retention.

The strategy also calls for a 10-year attraction plan focusing on younger people and men, who are underrepresented in the sector. Improving training and career development is another crucial aspect. The strategy advocates for a three-year funding commitment to provide social workers with new skills, particularly in dementia care. It also aims to revive apprenticeships and invest in training for occupational therapists and nurses.

The final recommendation is to ensure these plans are implemented. Skills for Care suggests publishing a report every five years to assess workforce needs and establish a central body to oversee the strategy's execution.

New Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has pledged to prioritise education and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The Labour government plans to recruit 6,500 new teachers to enhance life opportunities for children.

Phillipson aims to reform the SEND system, promising more support for children with special needs and their families. The Department for Education (DfE) will restructure, placing SEND and Alternative Provision under the Schools Group, which should improve inclusion in mainstream schools. Recognising the significant challenges in the education sector, including child poverty, financial pressures, high workloads, and strained care services, Phillipson has committed to expanding early years education, raising standards, and reforming the curriculum and assessment.

Immediate plans include recruiting new teachers, developing a comprehensive post-16 education strategy, collaborating with local governments to support children in care, and creating better training and employment pathways by empowering communities.

Advocacy organisations support Phillipson’s commitments but urge greater involvement in policy changes. The co-directors of Special Needs Jungle emphasised the need to prioritise SEND, improve accountability, ensure early intervention, protect legal education rights, secure funding, and value the voices of parents and children. They also called for a national recruitment drive and re-evaluation of the SEND Change Programme.

New Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has pledged to revamp mental health services with significant resource allocation and reforms now that he has won the general election. Alongside Labour’s newest member, Dr. Dan Poulter MP, Starmer emphasised a commitment to mental health improvement.

Dr. Poulter, a psychiatrist and former Conservative health minister, defected from the Tory Party, criticising its handling of the NHS under Rishi Sunak. He stated the health service was no longer a priority for the Conservatives, leading to frontline strain and declining patient care. Poulter believes only a Labour government can rectify these issues and has vowed to support Starmer and shadow health secretary Wes Streeting on NHS policy.

Starmer celebrated Dr. Poulter's defection, calling it a significant boost for Labour's NHS plans. He cited NHS data showing over 120,000 children faced waiting times exceeding six months for mental health support in 2022-23, branding these delays a societal disgrace.

Labour’s strategy includes reforming the Mental Health Act, hiring 8,500 specialised mental health staff, and providing mental health support in schools and communities, funded by closing tax loopholes.

Keir Starmer proclaimed the "sunlight of hope" is shining again in Britain following Labour's resounding election win, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Starmer is set to become prime minister after Rishi Sunak conceded, with Labour expected to secure over 410 seats compared to the Conservatives' 115.

Starmer, speaking at Royal Festival Hall in London, expressed relief and optimism, emphasizing a renewed opportunity for the country. The Conservatives faced their worst election performance, with key figures like Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and Grant Shapps losing their seats. Labour also made significant gains in Scotland and from the SNP, while the Liberal Democrats increased their seats to 70.

Reform UK saw a rise, winning at least four seats, with Nigel Farage becoming an MP. The Greens also won four seats. Notably, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn won in Islington North as an independent, and pro-Palestine independents had surprising victories.

Sunak acknowledged the defeat, emphasising the peaceful transfer of power. Labour's triumph is seen as a beacon of hope for progressive movements globally. The party reclaimed significant regions from the Conservatives, marking a major turnaround since Starmer took leadership. Labour is poised to implement substantial changes, with a focus on workers' rights, energy generation, and improved trading relations, while addressing critical issues like the NHS and prison system.