SIAA E-Bulletin - Friday 18th December
The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) weekly e-bulletin
This week’s bulletin contains SIAA news, general news, events, publications, consultations and recruitment.
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SIAA NEWS
The SIAA would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This will be our final e-bulletin of 2009 the next one will be published on 8th January 2010. Our Administrator Dyann will also be leaving us to go on Maternity Leave so we wish her well.
***Advocacy Map***
Thanks to all those organisations that have responded so far. Final reminder - please ensure that you have completed and returned the questionnaire. If you have not received it or if you would like an electronic version of the form please contact Muriel on 0131 260 5380 or mmowat@siaa.org.uk
GENERAL NEWS
Scottish Government Equality Duty Consultation in British Sigh Language (BSL)
BSL: UPTAKE (the BSL Knowledge Exchange hosted by Heriot-Watt University) has translated the summary and questions for the Scottish Government consultation on the Equality Duty: Putting it into Practice. The BSL version is on the BSL: UPTAKE website. Responses can be made by post, email or in BSL, either on the BSL: UPTAKE site or by sending in a CD/DVD. The closing date for responses from Deaf BSL users has been extended to 29th January 2010. Responses should be sent to Graeme Bryce, Equality Unit, The Scottish Government, Area 2G, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ or by email to Graeme.Bryce@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. This is your chance to tell the Scottish Government what you think. Please do respond.
Scoping parents' views of the additional support needs framework in Scotland
The Additional Support Needs (ASN) framework has been in place in Scottish education since 2004 but how well is it working? For Scotland's Disabled Children (FSDC) wants to know parents' views and experiences of the framework and its processes. Most importantly, they want to know if disabled children and young people are getting the support they need and if that is making a difference to their experience at school. For more information please see their website or paper copies are available from donna.tomlin@cafamily.org.uk.
Webcam helpline for Deaf people in Scotland goes live - Breathing Space launches British Sign Language service
DEAF people in Scotland struggling to cope emotionally can now get support from a groundbreaking webcam helpline that officially goes live on Wednesday, December 16. Callers can contact trained advisers who use British Sign Language (BSL) via a webcam to discuss their problems in confidence. For more information please see their website.
Samaritans in Scotland is piloting a TV advert this Christmas which they will hopefully go on to use in the rest of the UK and Ireland next year. To view the TV advert and the press release click here. They would be grateful if you could give them feedback in terms of its message and its potential to reach vulnerable people and also put the link on your website and out to your partners to spread the message as widely as possible. To give feedback and for more information please contact Frances Simpson, Scottish Development Manager, Samaritans in Scotland, Unit 19 Prospect III, Gemini Crescent, Dundee, DD2 1SW or telephone her on 01382 561 372.
Parents with Learning Disabilities
The Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability has recently published Scottish Good Practice Guidelines for Supporting Parents with Learning Disabilities. A copy can be downloaded by clicking here. Equal Say is planning to organise a meeting for advocacy workers to share issues and good practice in representing parents with learning disabilities. If you would be interested in attending, please contact Amanda Muir at amanda@equalsay.org or 0141 337 3133.
One in 10 now taking drugs to fight depression
One in 10 adults is now taking medication every day to combat depression, new figures revealed yesterday. To read the full article please click here.
NHS Waiting Times and Waiting Lists
Waiting times are important to patients and are a measure of how the NHS is responding to demands for services. To read the full article please click here.
Home Care Services Scotland, 2009
This document presents the latest national figures for home care services provided or purchased by local authorities in Scotland. In the last week in March 2009, there were 68,334 home care clients. Click here to read the full document.
Conditions at G4S immigration prison 'worse and worse'
Since it opened earlier this year, the UK's newest and biggest immigration prison has barely had a day without trouble. However, Corporate Watch has learnt that things have become "much worse" lately, both for the detainees and for their visitors. Meanwhile, the G4S management is apparently recruiting new security guards as staff shortages have led many detainees to repeatedly miss doctors' and court appointments. To read the full article please click here.
Formal Inquiry into disability-related harassment
The Commission has announced that it intends to conduct a Formal Inquiry into disability-related harassment in Britain and how public authorities are protecting disabled people's human rights to live free from violence and abuse. Evidence already gathered by the Commission indicates that targeted violence or hostility towards disabled people is widespread in Britain. People with learning disabilities or mental health conditions in particular experience high levels of victimisation. To read the full article please see their website.
EVENTS
Equality Network - National LGBT Forum; Race, Religion and Belief
This meeting of the forum will look at the topic of race, religion and belief. As well as a panel of speakers from ethnic minority, religious and LGBT communities, part of the forum will be a roundtable discussion on the topic. They are looking for your ideas and suggestions on what areas you would like to see on the table for discussion. The meeting will take place on Thursday 14th January 2010 in Perth, 5.30-8.30pm. Please see their website for more details.
Glasgow: Discrimination in Housing
This event will provide an understanding of discrimination law as it applies to all groups. It is for advisors who work with people who may experience discrimination in housing; from paid advisors to volunteers at law centres, citizens advice bureaux, national and community organisations. The event will be held on Tuesday 9th February, 10am-4.30pm. Deadline for booking 26th January 2010: to book please email julia.evans@equalityhumanrights.com, call 0141 228 5914 or see their website.
PUBLICATIONS
Scottish Government Publications
The Scottish Government has published three reports produced as a result of research into disability organisations across Scotland and their capacity to influence public bodies. Mapping Scotland's Disability Organisations, The Capacity of Disability Organisations to Engage with Public Authorities and A Resource Guide to Engagement Standards, Guidance and Tool Kits.
Carers UK
To coincide with Carers Rights Day, Carers UK has published two new advice guides – Caring about your pension and Looking after someone: A carer’s guide to rights and benefits. Copies can be purchased from their website.
CONSULTATION
NHS Lothian's New Palliative Care Strategy - Living and Dying Well in Lothian
This is an opportunity to tell NHS Lothian what you think, either as an individual or group response, of Living and Dying Well in Lothian - Lothian’s Palliative Care Strategy for 2010-2015. Palliative Care is about ensuring a good quality of life during every stage of a life limiting illness from diagnosis onwards. The deadline for consultation responses is Friday 5th February 2010. For more information please see their website.
Launch of Equality Act guidance consultation
Between January and April 2010, the Commission will continue its consultation on its non-statutory guidance for the Equality Bill, which is due to become law in 2010. This guidance will be published before the Act is implemented and aims to help you understand the new Act and how current legislation will change. For more information please see their website.
RECRUITMENT
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance - Administrator (Maternity Cover, 9 months in the first instance) £15,828.00 (AP1)
We are looking for an enthusiastic and efficient Administrator (Maternity Cover, 9 months in the first instance) to join our team. Your role will involve providing administrative support to the staff team. The successful candidate will be experienced in the use of SAGE, have a good working knowledge of MS Office, an excellent telephone manner and be comfortable dealing with people. You will have a positive attitude, a flexible approach to work, the ability to use your own initiative and work as part of a team. The closing date for applications is 18th December 09. For an application form and job specification please click here.
CONTACT US
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance, Melrose House, 69a George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2JG. Telephone: 0131 260 5380. Fax: 0131 260 5381. Email: enquiry@siaa.org.uk Website: www.siaa.org.uk
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