SCIE media releases 2005

Liam Byrne MP attends SCIE seminar to hear the views of service users

03 August 2005

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has held a user perspective seminar about the benefits system at the request of the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Services, Liam Byrne.

SCIE organised the seminar after Care Services Minister Liam Byrne met Bill Kilgallon, SCIE's Chief Executive. The purpose of the seminar was for social care users to brief Mr Byrne about their experiences of accessing benefits.

The seminar included users, carers, and staff from a wide range of organisations that offer services for older people, disabled people, and people with mental health problems. SCIE was able to arrange for the diverse group to meet through its links with many user-led organisations.

The discussions centred around the benefits and difficulties of using direct payments to manage individual social care. Many of the participants felt that their lives had improved since the introduction of direct payments, but reported difficulties in managing the excessive administration associated with the system.

Other issues raised included the integration of social care, health and education, and the difficulties in seeking employment or training whilst claiming benefits.

Executive Director at the National Centre for Independent Living, Nick Danagher, welcomed the opportunity to brief the minister on issues surrounding benefits:

"I found this a very positive day and I'm pleased that the minister listened to the views of everyone. I hope that this is the start of an ongoing process and I'm looking forward to working with Mr Byrne to improve social care".

Peter Crane, who has a son with severe learning disabilities, said:

"As an 'ordinary person' it is very exciting to give my views to a minister. I feel that social care has come a long way and that there are more opportunities available than before. I hope meetings like this will help improve social care even further."

Mr Byrne also found the day extremely positive and informative. He told the group he felt that direct payments shouldn't just be about joining funding streams, but also bringing governmental departments together.

Bill Kilgallon, SCIE's Chief Executive, was pleased that Mr Byrne asked to hear the views of service users.

"People from a wide range of backgrounds, and from different parts of the country, spoke very powerfully about their experiences. The minister was very perceptive about the key issues and we hope to have similar discussions in the future."

Media contact

Annie Goss | Communications Assistant | T: 020 7089 7117 | Email: annie.goss@scie.org.uk