A year ago, in August 2021, together with Legal Action for Women which co-ordinates Support Not Separation, we sent in joint evidence to the Independent review of children’s social care. The Review was: “A once in a generation opportunity to transform the children’s social care system and provide children with loving, safe and stable families.” We highlighted the lack of Care Act support for disabled mothers, and the disproportionate number of disabled children and teenagers in “care”, who suffer some of the worst institutional conditions and abuse, such as restraint and solitary confinement. The Review Chair, … Read more
Care charges. Chaminda Jayanetti writes: “Nearly 90,000 adult care users are behind on their care charge payments, with around one in four of all chargeable care users issued with reminder notices or more serious enforcement action.” Article on Open Democracy international news website. We’re quoted: [WinVisible] said care charges were a form of “violence against women”. “Those of us with high needs get the highest charges, including women of colour already hit by health inequality. Women who drop out [of care] live in squalor or are forced to rely on acquaintances or men who often become … Read more
We’ve won some changes since Islington Tribune highlighted Fereshteh Khosroujerdy’s care charges and other discrimination against her as a blind woman needing specific support and accessible letters by email. Fereshteh says: “Islington Council has promised to review my case, reduce the care charges, backdate this and refund me the difference in cash. But we’re waiting for them to confirm in writing. And the charges are still too high for the reduced hours I’m getting.” Watch this space for more news! Fereshteh wrote to the Tribune: I’m campaigning for a proper ‘Care Income’ Friday, 20th May … Read more
Blind woman says 130 per cent charge increase means she is now frightened to spend money Shared from the Islington Tribune, Friday, 13th May — By Anna Lamche A BLIND woman facing “extortionate” fees for her care has said she fears going shopping, amid warnings that spiralling care charges are compounding the bills crisis for the most vulnerable. Fereshteh Khosroujerdy, a blind woman living in sheltered accommodation in Archway, has long been struggling to make ends meet. In the past decade, she has seen her care charges increase by roughly 130 per cent, despite now receiving … Read more
Before the local elections on 5 May, we have a chance to press the candidates who want our votes, to commit to providing mothers and children with support so families can stay together – if they are elected. It’s our chance to tell them that councils must stop targeting mostly working-class single mothers for “child protection” leading to taking our children away. Despite our legal entitlement to support, any request for support, particularly if we have a disability, are women of colour, have grown up in “care” and/or face other discrimination, is often used … Read more
Despite cold weather, there was a big turnout early yesterday at Liverpool magistrates’ court to support Sue Ferguson and Ruth Knox, who were charged after a “spray paint incident” against the Arms Fair held last year. Supporters from many organisations cheered the two women as they arrived at court. They included Cllr Alan Gibbons (one of seven suspended Labour councillors who opposed Liverpool City Council’s cuts budget a few weeks ago), and writer/actor Tayo Aluko. The Liverpool Echo reports: Ferguson and Knox, representing themselves in court, said they didn’t dispute the case against them but … Read more
Many thanks to podcast host Don O’Neal and NaCSILS (Campaign for a National Care, Support and Independent Living Service) for inviting us to tell some moving personal stories. Click here to listen to the podcast. Text version coming soon, linked on here. For International Women’s Day, Claire, Ebere, Fereshteh, Kate and Tracey, talk about: · our Disabled Mothers’ Rights Campaign, challenging the lack of support by Councils and discrimination by the family courts that leads to traumatic separation of mums and kids · how disabled children are massively over-represented and mistreated in the children’s social … Read more
We helped with this article (below). Thanks to Private Eye and Heather Mills for publicising, Cheshire DPAC/Oppose Social Care Charging in Cheshire and Inclusion London for getting Councils to release figures on how many sick and disabled people they threaten with court. As it’s a paper magazine, here is the text for visually impaired readers: Private Eye 2 March 2022 p.40 Social care Councils of despair* “Tens of thousands of sick and disabled people are being driven into debt over charges imposed by local authorities for the care and support they need to stay in … Read more
With Sue Ferguson and Liverpool Against the Cuts, we’re campaigning against the hike in care charges, cuts to disabled people with high needs, and the intended budget by Liverpool City Council from April. At the same time as they are cutting support and services to mums and kids, they plan to open more children’s homes. This Wednesday at 4pm, we’ll be tweeting in support of the demonstration. Info from Liverpool Against the Cuts: On 2 March, Liverpool City Council will meet in the Town Hall to agree a budget which cuts services by nearly £19 … Read more
Claire from WinVisible is speaking tomorrow Tues 22 February 2022 – 7pm on Zoom at Care and Support Workers Organise (CasWO!) event: Tackling the Staffing Crisis in Social Care With author Emma Dowling; Larry Sanders, Green Party; Steve North, Salford City Unison; Stella Noakes, CasWO! Join this important discussion — Register here We look forward to tomorrow’s CasWO! meeting. Getting together as disabled women & unwaged family carers, with care workers on low wages & zero-hour contracts, is crucial to mutually respectful relationships and financial recognition. CasWO!, thank you for inviting WinVisible to take … Read more