As the government squeezes budgets in the adult social care sector, the monetary shortfalls can put huge pressures on care homes, managers and individuals alike. Deep cuts have been made to adult social care since 2010, but despite this there is still immense pressure to provide high quality care.
The upcoming election and different party manifestos don't put this issue in the spotlight. The Government's current Green Paper consultation on the care and support received by people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions is focused on having their voices heard and rights respected. However, providing adults with social care needs to have the freedom and independence they rightly deserve all comes at a cost.
Today there are far too many safeguarding processes that can hinder the quality of life of those with learning disabilities, where the focus is too concerned with doing what will attract the least amount of criticism, not what will actually help those in need. What is needed instead, is a process allowing people to have more access to things that are conducive to their wellbeing. Technology can certainly help with this.
There are companies all over the UK, including Insane Logic, which are offering technology that will help individuals achieve a better standard of living, give them a voice and allow them to express their feelings. For example Insane Logic's MyChoicePad provides a practical solution to enable people to communicate much more effectively using everyday iOS and Android tablet devices.
Leaders in the social care sector are coming together on 20th April to discuss the issues that face the social care sector today, to discuss the role technology can play in solving the big financial and legislative challenges facing the adult social care sector and practical ways that innovation can triumph in adversity at a free event on ‘Technology in Social Care'.
If you are interested in attending the event, visit wayra.pickevent.com for further information and to register.
Zoe Peden is the co-founder of Insane Logic, an award winning educational technology social enterprise dedicated to creating tools to aid and support language acquisition and to allow children and adults with speech and language difficulties to communicate.
