Quattro le direttrici che andranno a sorreggere, su base triennale, l’intero progetto promosso dal Garante Giancarlo Giulianelli e che interesserà diversi campi d’intervento. Il supporto ad iniziative già programmate in alcuni Comuni

La disabilità minorile al centro del nuovo percorso progettuale che il Garante Giancarlo Giulianelli intende portare avanti nei prossimi tre anni e che interesserà diversi campi d’intervento. “Disabile a chi?” è il titolo prescelto e l’intenzione è quella di promuovere un altro modo di pensare e impattare proprio con la disabilità nella convinzione che è necessario incidere su un “cambiamento” culturale partendo dai più piccoli e con loro.
Quattro le direttrici che andranno a sorreggere, su base triennale, l’intera iniziativa e che in sintesi riguardano l’acquisizione di dati statistici sui minorenni disabili che vivono nelle Marche; la promozione di corsi di formazione per insegnanti; il sostegno a progetti pilota che favoriscano l’inclusione, prevengano le situazioni di disagio e contribuiscano a superare atteggiamenti o comportamenti discriminatori; la concretizzazione di una specifica campagna di sensibilizzazione.
Partendo da queste linee d’intervento, il Garante ha già deciso di sostenere due progetti che andranno ad interessare il territorio marchigiano.
Il primo è “Crescolab – Back to school”, che il Comune di Macerata attiva con la collaborazione dell’Anffas e che si rivolge agli alunni disabili e con bisogni speciali (Bes). Il progetto, che è pilota e prevede oltre all’aiuto didattico anche interventi di tipo psicologico e il supporto alle famiglie, si inserisce nell’ampio contesto dell’inclusione scolastica e della ripresa delle lezioni dopo l’esperienza pandemica, che ha particolarmente penalizzato chi è portatore di disabilità. Il territorio interessato sarà quello dei Comuni ricompresi nell’Ambito territoriale sociale 15.
Secondo progetto sostenuto dal Garante, quello promosso dall’Istituto Comprensivo di Falconara Centro e dalla Fondazione “Arca”, nell’ambito del quale si prevede di realizzare lezioni online e laboratori formativi rivolti in particolare agli insegnanti di sostegno, a quelli che operano nelle biblioteche scolastiche e nei Cts (Centri territoriali di supporto). La formazione verterà sulla conoscenza della Caa (Comunicazione aumentata alternativa) che, attraverso l’inserimento di “Libri in simboli” e “Inbook”, favorisce la comprensione dei testi e migliora la comunicazione in particolare con i più fragili e tra questi e i pari.

“In response to instrumentalized migration last year and until this summer, the answer to the question ‘detention or alternatives?’ was unequivocal – detention.” Public expectations and, accordingly, political will were focused on deterrence. Since it is difficult to apply effective measures against the Belarusian regime that instrumentalises migration, the measures were aimed at persons crossing the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. These persons are seen as allies of the hostile regime and are automatically detained in aggravated conditions, leaving no room for an individualized approach,” emphasized the Seimas Ombudsperson Erika Leonaitė in a discussion organized by the Committee on Human Rights of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the World Health Organization and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The discussion presented international and the EU standards on the detention of asylum seekers, as well as health challenges of migration detention, detention practices and challenges faced by Lithuania. According to the Seimas Ombudsperson, the goals pursued by detention were hardly achieved, since detention could not last for the indefinite period – in the end, most of the persons still left Lithuania. Moreover, the research conducted by the Council of Europe does not confirm the fact that the application of detention effectively deters illegal border crossing.

“The time has come to look for alternatives to applied detention of persons. That requires new decisions at the political level, as well as a new strategy since the long-term detention used so far is not compatible with international obligations. In order to improve the situation, it is necessary to look for alternatives, such as housing asylum seekers in communities, involving the help of non-governmental organizations, among those fighting human trafficking and sexual exploitation, etc. For this purpose, it is important to carry out immediate identification of vulnerable groups: children, elderly persons, people with disabilities, pregnant and nursing women, as well as to take measures to identify possible victims of human trafficking and persons who have experienced torture and other intense violence as soon as possible. Faced with increased flows of irregular migration, alternatives must first be sought for these persons, and children should not be detained at all according to international standards. I hope that in the future the answer to the question “detention or alternatives?” will not arise as priority will always be given to alternatives”, summed up the Head of the Seimas Ombudspersons’ Office.

Those most likely to have used the NHS during the pandemic are least likely to have complained if they were unhappy with the service, according to a new survey.

The survey by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found that:

• Over 6 in 10 of over 55-year-olds (66%) used or came into contact with the NHS during the pandemic, compared to 57% of under-55s.
• A quarter of over 55s (25%) would’ve complained during the pandemic if they were unhappy with the service. This number fell to 22% for those aged over 65 and rose to 34% for under 55s.
• Over 4 in 10 of over 55s (44%) said they would complain now if unhappy, again this number fell to 41% for over 65s, and rose to 48% for under 55s.

Ombudsman Rob Behrens said:

“The NHS was under enormous pressure and strain during the pandemic and the public rightly supported all their hard work. The hesitancy to complain during the pandemic is no doubt connected to the public’s understanding of and respect for the NHS at the time.

"However, it’s vital that lessons are learned about how to improve our health services both in normal and extraordinary circumstances, especially as another pandemic or national emergency is inevitable at some stage.

“It’s vitally important that the biggest users of the NHS make sure their voices are heard. Complaints form an essential part of learning and can have life-changing consequences. Feedback from patients can lead to systemic reform and potentially help to avoid unnecessary deaths.

“I urge all public bodies, not just those in health, to ensure they are doing all they can to make it easy for people to complain and to welcome those complaints as a way to develop their services.

 

The survey of 2,087 people was conducted by Yonder Research in August 2022. The results also revealed that:

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orthumberland County Council has agreed to look again at families’ applications for school transport for teenagers with special educational needs after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found its policy was flawed.

The Ombudsman investigated after the mother of a teenager, who has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, complained the council declined to provide free school transport when he moved to college.

The council said there was another college closer to home for the son, and because the course he was set to study was not of the right standard, he did not meet its criteria for transport.

The council’s policy recommended applicants check their eligibility before applying for a course and transport, but the Ombudsman’s investigation found the policy’s wording made it difficult for families to do that.

The Ombudsman also found the council did not explain to the mum about its transport policy and how the family’s college choice would affect whether transport would be provided. It also found the policy did not make it clear how people can find out what level courses are set at.

The investigation also criticised the council for the way it handled the mother’s appeal.

Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said:

“In this case I have found the council’s policy on transport for teenagers with EHC Plans was not clear enough to allow parents to make the right choices, so I have asked it to look again at its policy to make it fairer.

“I’m pleased the council has agreed to my recommendations, which should ensure there is greater clarity for parents of teenagers with EHC Plans before they make important decisions about their future education options.”

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman remedies injustice and shares learning from investigations to help improve public, and adult social care, services. In this case the council has agreed to apologise to the mother and pay her £200 for the time and trouble in dealing with the complaint. It will also pay her a further £100 for not updating her properly during the application and appeals process.

The council will reassess the teenager’s transport application and properly explain the reasons for its decision. This will allow the mother to appeal if the application is refused. If it decides to provide transport, the council should reimburse the mother for her costs so far.

The Ombudsman has the power to make recommendations to improve processes for the wider public. In this case the council will remind staff dealing with transport applications and appeals of the importance of providing timely, clear, consistent and well-reasoned decisions and ensuring decision reasons are recorded.

It will also revisit its post-16 transport policy to make it clear to applicants that they can contact the council about course levels and check or compare school or college distances.

It will also review its decisions for the school year starting September 2021 where it has refused transport to children with EHCPs under its post-16 transport policy. If any applications were declined without explanations being given, they should be reassessed. In those cases, If transport is then agreed the parents should be offered a remedy for the missed provision. If transport is not agreed, parents should be given the opportunity to appeal.

Article date: 06 October 2022