Policy Context

Following the publication in recent years of various important reports, the policy context within which services and supports are provided to people with disabilities is unprecedented in terms of its depth and scope. These important reports include: 

• Time to Move On - report on Congregated Settings;
• New Directions – report on Adult Services;
• Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People;
• Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Intellectual Disability and
• The Value for Money and Disability Policy Review
• The introduction of HIQA’s National Standards in Residential Disability Services.

The importance of implementation

This policy context creates hugely exciting opportunities for people with disabilities and their families, however, it is not without its challenges.  It is recognised, for example, that policy objectives for people with disabilities have often not translated into specific objectives for disability services, or into desired outcomes for those using disability services and there is a gap between policy objectives and what is provided by many disability services, both statutory and voluntary.

The response of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies

Mindful of these challenges, the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies has identified, as a matter of priority, the implementation of the national policy objectives and in this regard is committed to providing leadership and practical guidance and support to our member organisations in implementing national policy on the ground.  Practical examples of this are our Next Steps Project, through which models of best innovative practice are shared and disseminated and our Immersion Programme which ran for one full week in April 2013 and the outcome of which we have developed “Enabling Excellence” a training programme for supported self-directed living, which has been developed in collaboration with Genio.
 

Click on the options on the left hand side of this page to see the various innovation and change programmes that the National Federaton are currently working on.