The government is reviewing whether disabled people in England should be allowed to claim more than the current £30,000 cap under the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The grant, which helps fund essential home adaptations like wet rooms and stairlifts, has not seen an increase in its upper limit since 2008. This review follows a legal challenge brought on behalf of a six-year-old boy with autism and additional needs, whose family requires £100,000 to extend their one-bedroom home in Tower Hamlets, far exceeding the existing cap.

The review, expected to be completed by spring, will assess the impact on disabled individuals unable to afford vital adaptations due to the £30,000 limit. In 2018, a previous report recommended the cap be raised in line with inflation, highlighting that the current amount often falls short of the actual costs. While some councils provide additional funds, the amounts vary significantly by area, leaving many families struggling to meet their needs.

The boy’s mother described their living situation as inadequate for her son’s specific requirements, urging that the review bring meaningful change for families like hers. Disability charities, including Leonard Cheshire, have echoed calls to raise the cap, emphasising the grant’s importance in ensuring disabled people can live with dignity and independence.

The Department of Health and Social Care reaffirmed its commitment to supporting disabled people, pointing to an £86 million increase in DFG funding next year, which aims to fund nearly 8,000 additional home adaptations. However, it remains uncertain whether the review will lead to a formal increase in the grant’s upper limit.

A recent survey has revealed that 81% of councils are projected to overspend their adult social care budgets by March 2025, marking the highest level of overspending on record. The trend has worsened over the past three years, rising from 63% in 2022/23 to 72% in 2023/24. Conducted by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass), the survey captures responses from 131 councils in England with social care responsibilities but does not account for the financial pressures of the Autumn Budget.

Increases in the National Living Wage and National Insurance contributions, announced in the Budget, are expected to exacerbate financial challenges for councils and care providers. Care England, representing adult care providers, has warned that these cost hikes could lead to care home closures, prompting calls for social care exemptions from National Insurance increases. Mencap’s Executive Director, Jackie O’Sullivan, criticised the £600 million sector funding as insufficient, with estimates suggesting double that amount is needed to meet rising costs.

The survey also highlighted a growing need for in-year savings, with 35% of councils required to make cuts, compared to 19% last year. Planned savings for 2025/26 have surged to £1.4 billion, raising concerns about the ability to invest in workforce, prevention, and unpaid carers. Adass President Melanie Williams described the sector as being at "breaking point."

The financial strain is particularly worrying for vulnerable people reliant on social care. O’Sullivan stressed that without urgent action, care workers, already struggling on low wages, will bear the brunt, with people with learning disabilities feeling the greatest impact. Adass and care charities are urging the government to collaborate on sustainable funding solutions to address the worsening crisis.

New research published in BJPsych Open has revealed substantial inconsistencies in service provision for people with epilepsy and learning disabilities across England. A study examining nine Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in the Midlands found that many areas struggle to accurately identify the population with these needs, making effective service planning difficult. The report also highlighted challenges in recruiting and retaining staff with the specialised skills necessary to support these individuals.

One in five people with a learning disability also have epilepsy, a condition associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality. However, past studies have shown that these individuals often face fragmented care and poor risk management. The Step Together project was developed to address these gaps, providing a structured toolkit for assessing and enhancing care quality.

In this study, ICSs in the Midlands were invited to assess their services using the toolkit, which scores performance across areas like workforce, care planning, and information sharing. Results showed a regional average score of 44.2%, indicating room for improvement, with some systems scoring as low as 23.8%. Planning and care transition scored particularly low, reflecting challenges in supporting seamless care transitions from childhood to adulthood.

The authors note that the toolkit serves as a valuable catalyst for change by helping healthcare teams quickly identify areas for improvement and foster collaborative efforts across departments. While implementing such tools can be challenging in an already stretched healthcare system, the report underscores the urgent need for consistent, person-centred care to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and improve quality of life for those with epilepsy and learning disabilities.

A reimagined version of Cinderella, specially designed for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities, is set to open in London. Titled Sensory Cinders, the show will run from 2 to 5 November at Soho Place, marking a groundbreaking first for the West End, according to its creators, the Hull-based charity Concrete Youth.

This unique adaptation is described as a “significant step” toward fostering inclusivity. Featuring a blend of sensory-focused materials, an original musical score, and reworked characters and plotlines, Sensory Cinders offers a fresh take on the classic story with a strong emphasis on identity, self-expression, and magic.

Concrete Youth’s chief executive, Daniel Swift, highlighted the lack of tailored cultural experiences for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, calling this production “a historic moment” in addressing this gap and advancing inclusivity within West End theatre and beyond.

Directed by Belle Streeton, Sensory Cinders has been developed in collaboration with The Civic, Barnsley, and Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough, with support from Sheffield Theatres and Arts Council England. Streeton expressed excitement for audiences to experience the passion and dedication poured into this show, which aims to create a memorable experience for all.

Researchers at the University of Roehampton have developed "Take Note," a new musical resource to support people with dementia. Take Note includes a website and a set of 100 activity cards designed to help carers engage older adults with music-based activities. Created by Dr Fi Costa and Professor Adam Ockelford, these resources are grounded in over 50 studies exploring the connection between music and dementia, highlighting music’s ability to spark memories, revive skills, and encourage social interaction.

The resources aim to make music an accessible tool for carers, requiring minimal preparation and allowing meaningful interaction without extensive training. Music has been shown to reduce distress, support emotional expression, and enhance social bonds for those with dementia. By providing practical ideas, Take Note seeks to empower carers to incorporate music effectively in daily routines and group settings.

Since 2022, the Cinnamon Care Collection has piloted the Take Note resources in five of its care homes across London, Hampshire, and East Sussex, including Eden Court and Rectory Court, where positive outcomes have been observed. The Take Note website includes over 50 instructional videos demonstrating how each activity can be used to foster engagement and well-being.

Professor Ockelford shared that, after years of work in care homes, the project team identified a clear need for resources that guide carers on how to deliver impactful music interventions. Take Note was officially launched on 22 October 2024, at the University of Roehampton's "Take Note Conference," marking a milestone in dementia care research.

Four major autism charities are urging the government to address a critical crisis affecting thousands of people awaiting autism diagnoses and facing inadequate care. This call follows a recent report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), highlighting significant failures in health and social care for people with learning disabilities and autism. The charities have written to government officials, asking for increased funding to stabilise and strengthen the struggling care system.

The CQC report revealed worrying health inequalities, including lower life expectancy and preventable deaths among people with learning disabilities and autism. Many face delayed diagnoses and missed opportunities for early intervention, with waits extending far beyond recommended times. Additionally, only a small proportion of people with learning disabilities are recorded on relevant health registers, meaning many miss out on necessary proactive care.

Another pressing concern is the use of restrictive practices, with reports of excessive restraint and other restrictive measures due to limited staff training and awareness. Some care providers lack the appropriate skills to support people who may be distressed, leading to harmful and sometimes illegal practices. Closed cultures in care settings also contribute to unchallenged, restrictive methods, with staff often unaware of the consequences of their actions.

Finally, there’s a call for better staff training and adherence to the forthcoming Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, which outlines mandatory requirements for supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Ensuring that staff are adequately trained is essential to improving the quality of life and outcomes for those in care.

The Public Services Committee has called on the government to implement several recommendations to improve support for young disabled people entering employment. Their report, Think Work First: The transition from education to work for young disabled people, outlines 36 recommendations, including increasing transparency on Access to Work wait times, providing better training for Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs), and expanding supported internships.

The report highlights the 30% disability employment gap, with young disabled people facing significant barriers from education through to employment. The inquiry found that low expectations and a lack of tailored support in schools and employment services contribute to these challenges. Good examples of careers education and workplace support exist, but they are not widespread enough and are often at risk of being discontinued.

The Committee emphasises the need for employers to feel confident hiring disabled workers and to ensure inclusive recruitment practices. They also stress the importance of changing attitudes, urging that aspiration and the belief that disabled people can thrive in work should be central to support.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Mencap, added that people with learning disabilities need more targeted support, such as accessible internships and employer training. He called on the government to invest in employment programmes that match the ambitions of disabled people, ensuring they receive the support needed to succeed in the workplace.

TV BRA, a Norwegian TV station where all reporters are disabled or autistic, is making waves with its unique approach to news broadcasting. Every week, the team produces a one-hour programme covering news, entertainment, and sport, which is aired on TV2 Play and their own platform. With around 5,000 weekly viewers, the show is presented in simple Norwegian and at a slower pace, making it more accessible to those with learning disabilities.

The station’s 10 reporters, including Emily Ann Riedel, who has Down's syndrome, work across Norway as local correspondents. They tackle a range of important issues, from community news to interviews with politicians. Riedel speaks of the professionalism required at the station, saying she has learned to balance her lively personality with the demands of delivering the news.

TV BRA also highlights stories of rights for disabled people, such as a recent report on a woman whose shopping assistance was threatened by local authorities. Although funding is tight, the team is motivated by a passion for improving understanding and representation of disabled people.

The station’s managing editor, Camilla Kvalheim, is proud of their progress, insisting that the team meet professional standards. TV BRA's work empowers both their reporters and viewers, making the news more accessible for people with learning disabilities across the country.

The Law Commission has launched a consultation aimed at reforming disabled children’s social care law to make it fairer, simpler, and more accessible for families. The current legal framework, which determines what support disabled children can receive from social services, is outdated and inconsistent, with some legislation dating back over 50 years. This has led to variations in support offered by local authorities and created unnecessary barriers for parents and carers seeking help for their children.

The consultation follows recommendations from the 2022 Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, which highlighted the difficulties families face in understanding and accessing support. The Law Commission is now seeking input from young people, families, social workers, local authorities, and anyone with knowledge of the area to guide its reform recommendations.

Professor Alison Young, Commissioner for Public Law, stressed the importance of modernising the law to reflect changing needs and improve clarity for families and service providers. The consultation will cover areas such as assessments, eligibility, service provision, transitioning to adult care, and the definition of disability.

Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby, emphasised the need to remove outdated language and streamline the legal system, allowing social workers to focus more on improving the lives of vulnerable children and families, and ensuring disabled children receive the support they need.

A recent large-scale study has found that siblings of autistic children are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with autism themselves, a rate 20% higher than infants without autistic siblings. The US-led research, published by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), followed 1,605 infants with older autistic siblings across the US, Canada, and the UK, tracking their development from infancy to the age of three.

The study revealed that the likelihood of autism increases if a child has more than one autistic sibling, with a 37% chance of being diagnosed compared to 21% for those with just one autistic sibling. Boys were found to be almost twice as likely as girls to develop autism. Researchers also noted a higher recurrence rate in non-white families.

The findings mirrored previous studies and emphasised the need for close monitoring of siblings of autistic children, particularly in families with less access to care. Early intervention and diagnosis remain crucial, especially in families facing socio-economic challenges.

The study also highlighted educational disparities, with the recurrence rate decreasing as the mother’s education level increased. Researchers stressed the importance of further research into social determinants of health that may contribute to these trends but acknowledged that more work is needed to answer these complex questions.