1. Independent Living Campaign Conference

2. Background to the campaign

3. Background to the campaign
Delayed ILF closure by three months, government needed to retake closure decision, high court judgments stating the serious adverse impact of the closure
Raised profile of independent living for disabled adults
Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities referenced in the Care Act 2014 statutory guidance
Government pressed into finding additional £7bn for “Former ILF Recipient Grant”
Peer support network
Legal advice and resources

4. Challenges Cycle of reassessments and fear
Community care solicitors working beyond capacity
Limitations of judicial review
Green paper on social care excludes working age disabled people

5. Common issues Cuts to support packages
Replacing personal assistance with technology/equipment
Not following Care Act procedure for reassessments and reviews
Not funding night-time support
Misinterpretation of “independent living”
Reliance on unpaid support
Referral for CHC (Continuing Healthcare) funding
Low hourly rates – difficulty recruiting PAs
Lack of infrastructure support for managing Direct Payments/Personal Budgets
Care managers not understanding employment liabilities
Introduction of harsher charging policies

6. Recap since last national meeting
Evidencing the impact of the ILF closure – Inclusion London report, Channel four FOIs, DWP evaluation
Prepayment cards template letter and report
EHRC action against CCG capping policies
United Nations – inquiry report, concluding observations from the routine examination, general comment on Article 19
Campaign to save the Welsh Independent Living Grant
National Disabled People’s Summit

7. Opportunities Government work-stream for working age disabled adults
Labour party policy – commitment to enshrine UNCRPD and work with disabled people on setting up a national “care” system
EHRC work to explore different options to legislate for a right to independent living
Research project to explore alternative models

8. Priorities Continuing to monitor and evidence what is happening
Support for individuals – peer/legal
Strategic litigation
Setting out and lobbying for our vision for a national independent living support system
Fighting institutionalisation