PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [March 2023]

We thank you, Special Rapporteur, for your report on transformation of services for disabled people highlighting, among other points, the importance of devolved, personalised budgets and personal support plans.

The United Kingdom remains committed to championing the rights of persons with disabilities and implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through strong policies and legislation. Our 10-year vision to transform support and care in England is set out in the adult social care white paper, published in December 2021.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to produce a care and support plan and offer a personal budget following a needs assessment. The Act allows people to receive personal budgets enabling them to plan their own care and support as well as exercise control over how it is provided.

In line with the report’s recommendation to improve transparency and accountability, the Health and Care Act 2022 includes a new duty for the Care Quality Commission to assess local authorities’ delivery of adult social care duties and to better understand the quality of care in local areas.

Special Rapporteur,

What more can States do to ensure disabled people are systematically included in the process of designing new models of services?