Improving Island life for disabled children and adults and their carers

Downloads

Disability Needs Survey - Stage One Disability Needs Survey - Stage Two Disability and Inclusion Strategy Carers Report 2017

In this section we aim to share with you the work that is taking place in Guernsey to improve the lives of disabled people and to improve carer experiences.

  • Disability Needs Surveys

    • In 2011 two surveys were undertaken to look at the number of people living with long-term health conditions or disabilities, carers and their experiences.
    • The surveys provided information which informed the Disability and Inclusion Strategy.
    • You can see the 2 documents as they are downloaded on this page

  • The Disability and Inclusion Strategy

    • The Strategy was was agreed by the States in 2013.
    • It aims to improve the lives of disabled islanders and focuses on the issues identified in the Disability needs surveys.
    • It recognises that the States plays an important role in providing services, including health, housing, education and benefits, for disabled people and their carers, as well as providing opportunities as the largest employer in the Islands.
    • The complete document is available as a download on this page.
    • Who is working on the Strategy?
    • The Committee for Employment & Social Security are responsible for the Strategy.
    • Different States Committees and other key stakeholders are working on a variety of projects which are part of the Strategy.
    • A Programme Board oversees all of the work within the Strategy and meets once a quarter.
    • Highlight Reports were published every 12 weeks and are available on this page.

  • The Disability and Inclusion Strategy and the Projects

    • The Strategy was agreed by the States in 2013.
    • It aimed to improve the lives of disabled islanders and focused on the issues identified in the Disability needs surveys.
    • The work was divided into a number of different projects.
    • An update on these projects is given in the highlight reports. More information about the projects can be found by following the links.
    • 1. Extending the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities to Guernsey to confirm the island's commitment to respect the rights of its disabled citizens. 
    • 2. Introducing legislation to protect disabled islanders and carers from discrimination. The Prevention of Discrimination Ordiance was introduced in October 2023 PoDO.
    • 3. Creating an Equality and Rights organisation to promote the rights of disabled people and carers and other groups at risk of discrimination. The Employment and Equal Opportunities Service was launched in October 2023. 
    • 4. Improving the information available to disabled people and carers about support and services. Signpost website provides information .
    • 5. Commissioning an audit of the States' employment practices, buildings and services to ensure they meet the new legislation, new policies and plans. BDF undertook this work in 2016 BDF audit
    • 6. Creating an Employment Trust to help disabled people to gain and maintain employment and providing information for businesses in preparation for the legislation. Guernsery Employment Trust was set up in 2016. GET.
    • 7. Developing frameworks for Autism, Learning Disability and Dementia that set out how people with these specific conditions are diagnosed and supported. The frameworks that have been developed can be found here. Autism pdf icon Dementia framework [2Mb]. The frameworks for speech language and communication needs and learning disabilities are still being developed.
    • 8. Introducing a Capacity Law to empower and protect people who may not be able to make decisions for themselves. The Capacity Law was introduced in 2020.
    • 9. Developing safeguarding policies to protect vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect. The multi-agency adult safeguarding policy and procedures for Guernsey and Alderney together with an adult safeguarding threshold document were endorsed in early in 2023. Adult safeguarding

  • Highlight reports

    • The Highlight reports were produced every 12 weeks. An easy read document was also produced.
    • The reports can be found by following the link at the bottom of this page.

  • Plans and Strategies

    • Children and Young People's Plan was approved by the States in February 2016. It was updated in 2019. It prioritises 'children in need' but also is aimed at ensuring that Guernsey and Alderney are the best places possible for children and young people to grow up. For full details of the Children and Young People's Plan follow the link.
    • The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy was approved by the States on 27 February 2013. It is a cross-departmental strategy, led by Health and Social Care (HSC) providing a framework within which all areas of the island community can begin to work together towards better mental wellbeing. For more information follow the link Mental health and wellbeing plan
    • The Supported Living and Ageing Well Strategy (SLAWS) was agreed by the States in February 2016. The Strategy is intended to work towards Guernsey and Alderney having an adaptable and continuously improving care and support system that is fair, person-centred, enabling and sustainable. For more information follow the link to Supported Living and Aging Well
    • Carers Action plan was published on 30th April 2019. It outlines the priority actions that need to be undertaken to support people in Guernsey and Alderney who support family members and friends.Follow the link for more information Carers action plan.
    • Carers Guernsey was set up in 2018 to support local carers.
    • The States of Guernsey signed up the Employers Disability Charter in March 2018.The Charter demonstrates the States commitment to being positive and proactive towards recruiting and retaining disabled people and people with health conditions. You can view the States of Guernsey Statement of Intent Disability charter here [235kb] or in the downloads section on this page.