Derby charity concerned that adults with learning disabilities are at risk of abuse
3rd December 2007

A Derby-based learning disabilities charity is concerned that adults with learning disabilities are at risk of abuse after a Healthcare Commission national audit found that most healthcare services “pay insufficient attention to safeguarding”. 

Government hears the voices of vulnerable victims
14 June 2007

Victim Support and VOICE UK welcome the Government’s announcement of a review of adult protection guidance as a major step towards stopping the abuse of vulnerable people.

Home Office “forgot the vulnerable”
2 March 2007

The Home Office has been criticised for “forgetting the vulnerable” by a leading anti-abuse charity in the wake of the inquiry into the handling of European convictions of UK citizens. 

Anti-Abuse Charity Condemns Institutional Abuse That Beggars Belief
17 January 2007

A leading learning disabilities charity that campaigns against abuse has welcomed today’s report from the Healthcare Commission into institutional abuse of people with learning disabilities at Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust and condemned the abuse that was discovered.

Foreign Convictions Records Failure is “Giant Breach of Trust” and “Reminiscent of Soham”
10 January 2007

The failure to put information on British people convicted in Europe onto the Police National Computer is a “giant breach of the trust” that vulnerable people, schools and charities place in the Home Office and police according to coalition of three learning disability charities that campaign against abuse. 

Intermediaries

VOICE UK continues to work with the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, Home Office on the Intermediaries Scheme. This scheme is an important part of supporting vulnerable witnesses to give their best evidence in court and to get equal access to the criminal justice system. For more information about the scheme call the VOICE UK office (0845 122 8695) for an information pack.

Speaking out: a guide for advocates for children and young people with learning disabilities

This guide was written by VOICE UK for the NSPCC. Speaking out is based on children and young people’s own views of what makes an effective advocate and includes revealing insights into how they feel. The guide is £2.50 and is available from the NSPCC. To order online go to: www.nspcc.org.uk/inform

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)

The University of Sheffield are developing a research bid to look at why people with learning disabilities are almost twice as likely to become the subject of an ASBO. VOICE UK will be working closely with the University. If the bid is successful two people with learning disabilities who work with us will be employed as researchers on the project. To find out more about ASBOs and people with learning disabilities go to our website www.voiceuk.org.uk and download our latest newsletter.

Marathon News

We have five golden bond places for this year’s marathon which is on Sunday, 23 April 2006. If you would like to sponsor any of our runners contact us on 01332 295775 or go to www.justgiving.com/voiceuk.