Clare McGrath
@chmacg.bsky.social
Exhausted full-time Carer of adult son. Angry about how shit Adult Social Care is for most and trying to influence positive change locally one small step at a time. Currently trying to learn the legislation because someone has to.
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Carol Boys OBE, Chief Executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association provides an initial response to the Down Syndrome Act draft statutory guidance consultation.
Read more: https://loom.ly/mv4dCzA
Read more: https://loom.ly/mv4dCzA
November 6, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Carol Boys OBE, Chief Executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association provides an initial response to the Down Syndrome Act draft statutory guidance consultation.
Read more: https://loom.ly/mv4dCzA
Read more: https://loom.ly/mv4dCzA
New school census data about pupils with Down's syndrome isn't going to be published after all, due to 'data collection issues'. (Schools were given autonomy to report on what they considered to be each pupil's two most important learning needs).
Who would have thought it, eh?! 🙄😂
Who would have thought it, eh?! 🙄😂
September 5, 2025 at 6:52 PM
New school census data about pupils with Down's syndrome isn't going to be published after all, due to 'data collection issues'. (Schools were given autonomy to report on what they considered to be each pupil's two most important learning needs).
Who would have thought it, eh?! 🙄😂
Who would have thought it, eh?! 🙄😂
According to the latest Parliamentary written answer referencing the Down syndrome Act, publication of the world-leading DS Guidance has moved from happening this summer to 'in due course'.
Who would have thought it, eh? 🙄😂
Who would have thought it, eh? 🙄😂
September 5, 2025 at 10:06 AM
According to the latest Parliamentary written answer referencing the Down syndrome Act, publication of the world-leading DS Guidance has moved from happening this summer to 'in due course'.
Who would have thought it, eh? 🙄😂
Who would have thought it, eh? 🙄😂
Reposted by Clare McGrath
A few years ago as the Down Syndrome Bill was introduced into Parliament by Liam Fox MP it became clear that a key person working on it was also the COO of Turning Point UK, it was drafted by a pro life evangelical Barrister….
My book Bodies Under Siege tracks the far right attack on abortion rights in UK, Europe & US, via conspiracy theories, Christian nationalist networks & dark money from US, Russia & Europe… I’ve been on this story for 8 years so buy it now!!
www.versobooks.com/en-gb/produc...
www.versobooks.com/en-gb/produc...
Bodies Under Siege
Think today's anti-abortion ideas are rooted in religious prohibitions or arguments about where life begins? Wrong: today's anti-abortion movements is largely financed and planned by far-right extremi...
www.versobooks.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
A few years ago as the Down Syndrome Bill was introduced into Parliament by Liam Fox MP it became clear that a key person working on it was also the COO of Turning Point UK, it was drafted by a pro life evangelical Barrister….
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Visual story of our hospital stay at start of year
Hospital admitted today: “Staff sometimes take a step back & leave the loved one or carer to provide much of the care.”
That carer was me
Stayed 24/7 doing all care while @DWP stopped both PIP & CA
Reality of unpaid care 🧵
Hospital admitted today: “Staff sometimes take a step back & leave the loved one or carer to provide much of the care.”
That carer was me
Stayed 24/7 doing all care while @DWP stopped both PIP & CA
Reality of unpaid care 🧵
June 9, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Visual story of our hospital stay at start of year
Hospital admitted today: “Staff sometimes take a step back & leave the loved one or carer to provide much of the care.”
That carer was me
Stayed 24/7 doing all care while @DWP stopped both PIP & CA
Reality of unpaid care 🧵
Hospital admitted today: “Staff sometimes take a step back & leave the loved one or carer to provide much of the care.”
That carer was me
Stayed 24/7 doing all care while @DWP stopped both PIP & CA
Reality of unpaid care 🧵
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Please take a moment to read, sign and share. 🙏🏼
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Petition: Fund a full bursary and maintenance fund to train Learning Disability Nurses
At a time when the demand across health and social care is so high, numbers entering the LD nursing profession are too low. To halt this decline, support the profession with a full bursary and mainten...
petition.parliament.uk
June 13, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Please take a moment to read, sign and share. 🙏🏼
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
Reposted by Clare McGrath
**NEW** guidance for HCPs to use when implementing the #MentalCapacityAct for adults with a #LearningDisability.
Inc template documentation, guide to reasonable adjustments and useful flow chart
#FOAMed #MedSky #NurseSky
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
Inc template documentation, guide to reasonable adjustments and useful flow chart
#FOAMed #MedSky #NurseSky
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
NHS England » Guidance to support implementation of the Mental Capacity Act in acute trusts for adults with a learning disability
NHS England » Guidance to support implementation of the Mental Capacity Act in acute trusts for adults with a learning disability
www.england.nhs.uk
May 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
**NEW** guidance for HCPs to use when implementing the #MentalCapacityAct for adults with a #LearningDisability.
Inc template documentation, guide to reasonable adjustments and useful flow chart
#FOAMed #MedSky #NurseSky
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
Inc template documentation, guide to reasonable adjustments and useful flow chart
#FOAMed #MedSky #NurseSky
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Clare McGrath
It’s getting real!
Available June 5th.
Available June 5th.
May 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
It’s getting real!
Available June 5th.
Available June 5th.
Reposted by Clare McGrath
"An exhilarating journey from ancient philosophy to the contemporary era exploring how people with learning disabilities have been marginalised, excluded and even erased from cultural and historical record. A must-read."
Sara Ryan
(Justice for Laughing Boy)
Sara Ryan
(Justice for Laughing Boy)
May 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
"An exhilarating journey from ancient philosophy to the contemporary era exploring how people with learning disabilities have been marginalised, excluded and even erased from cultural and historical record. A must-read."
Sara Ryan
(Justice for Laughing Boy)
Sara Ryan
(Justice for Laughing Boy)
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Gonna get lost under the news avalanche that is the local election results, but here are the 'Term of Reference' for Baroness Louise Casey's commission on adult social care. Bit of a cloudy soup I thought www.gov.uk/government/p...
Independent commission into adult social care: terms of reference
www.gov.uk
May 2, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Gonna get lost under the news avalanche that is the local election results, but here are the 'Term of Reference' for Baroness Louise Casey's commission on adult social care. Bit of a cloudy soup I thought www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Clare McGrath
We are committed to stand with the trans community, whatever it takes.
Will you join us?
goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...
Will you join us?
goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...
Fighting fund for trans rights | Good Law Project
Stand up for trans rights 🏳️⚧️ Join me and @GoodLawProject and help us fight the rollbacks on trans rights in the UK.
goodlawproject.org
April 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
We are committed to stand with the trans community, whatever it takes.
Will you join us?
goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...
Will you join us?
goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...
Reposted by Clare McGrath
"This book is both heartrending and gorgeous. It crosses the line many times but, ultimately, it’s about love. He teaches us humanity."
Miriam Margolyes
Published June 5th, available for preorder now.
Miriam Margolyes
Published June 5th, available for preorder now.
April 18, 2025 at 10:13 AM
"This book is both heartrending and gorgeous. It crosses the line many times but, ultimately, it’s about love. He teaches us humanity."
Miriam Margolyes
Published June 5th, available for preorder now.
Miriam Margolyes
Published June 5th, available for preorder now.
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Trump’s tariffs on automobiles will (according to business analysts) strip £6billion from the West Midlands region alone.
I live minutes away from JLR and many locals rely on the factory for work.
This is devastating.
I live minutes away from JLR and many locals rely on the factory for work.
This is devastating.
April 2, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Trump’s tariffs on automobiles will (according to business analysts) strip £6billion from the West Midlands region alone.
I live minutes away from JLR and many locals rely on the factory for work.
This is devastating.
I live minutes away from JLR and many locals rely on the factory for work.
This is devastating.
Hmmm, the “Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act” is an anti-abortion bill.
Who would have thought it.... 🤔
Who would have thought it.... 🤔
When I saw this was introduced by a Republican I knew something was up.
H.R.2251 - Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act
Is an anti-abortion bill.
#LegislationStation
H.R.2251 - Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act
Is an anti-abortion bill.
#LegislationStation
www.congress.gov
March 29, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Hmmm, the “Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act” is an anti-abortion bill.
Who would have thought it.... 🤔
Who would have thought it.... 🤔
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Much welcome news that @dsa-uk.bsky.social are playing an integral part in formulating the guidance around the #DownSyndrome Act.
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/news/news-re...
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/news/news-re...
Down Syndrome Act 2022: Three years on... what do we know? - Downs Syndrome Association
A summary of the current situation regarding the Down Syndrome Act 2022, and when the draft guidance will be published for review.
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
March 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Much welcome news that @dsa-uk.bsky.social are playing an integral part in formulating the guidance around the #DownSyndrome Act.
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/news/news-re...
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/news/news-re...
Yesterday I dipped back into the Dark Place and really wished I hadn't. (For context, there is STILL no sign of the long-awaited 'world-leading' Down Syndrome Guidance, just a lot of anti-abortion propaganda and photo opps)
🤢🤮
🤢🤮
March 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Yesterday I dipped back into the Dark Place and really wished I hadn't. (For context, there is STILL no sign of the long-awaited 'world-leading' Down Syndrome Guidance, just a lot of anti-abortion propaganda and photo opps)
🤢🤮
🤢🤮
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Labour’s reported disability benefit cuts are not just about budgeting but a belief: paid work is a virtue (and people who don’t perform it deserve a worse life than everyone else).
My col. in tomorrow’s paper. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My col. in tomorrow’s paper. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
There is a shameful British tradition of demonising disabled people. Why is Labour reigniting it? | Frances Ryan
Ministers run away from a wealth tax and then concoct a punitive benefits system. They have made that choice and it’s immoral, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
March 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Labour’s reported disability benefit cuts are not just about budgeting but a belief: paid work is a virtue (and people who don’t perform it deserve a worse life than everyone else).
My col. in tomorrow’s paper. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My col. in tomorrow’s paper. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A leaflet from @dsa-uk.bsky.social with an easy to understand summary of the recent JR Consent Order concerning Councils clawing back Direct Payments and imposing 'blanket' surplus policies. Please share with anyone who would benefit from knowing this.
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/about-downs-...
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/about-downs-...
Understanding Your Rights in Direct Payments - Downs Syndrome Association
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
March 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
A leaflet from @dsa-uk.bsky.social with an easy to understand summary of the recent JR Consent Order concerning Councils clawing back Direct Payments and imposing 'blanket' surplus policies. Please share with anyone who would benefit from knowing this.
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/about-downs-...
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/about-downs-...
Reposted by Clare McGrath
If you’ve been listening to File on 4 today about people with #LearningDisabilities and autistic people being held in mental heath units, you may want to purchase this book.
‘Beautiful Lives’ explores how we got learning disabilities so wrong.
‘Beautiful Lives’ explores how we got learning disabilities so wrong.
History, culture, philosophy, politics.
HUMAN BEINGS.
Couldn't be happier that this is coming out on June 5th published by Wildfire. Available for preorder now on Amazon.
@wildfirebooks.bsky.social
HUMAN BEINGS.
Couldn't be happier that this is coming out on June 5th published by Wildfire. Available for preorder now on Amazon.
@wildfirebooks.bsky.social
March 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM
If you’ve been listening to File on 4 today about people with #LearningDisabilities and autistic people being held in mental heath units, you may want to purchase this book.
‘Beautiful Lives’ explores how we got learning disabilities so wrong.
‘Beautiful Lives’ explores how we got learning disabilities so wrong.
Reposted by Clare McGrath
Yet another story of appalling neglect of people with learning disabilities, and autistic people.
www.itv.com/news/2025-03...
www.itv.com/news/2025-03...
www.itv.com
March 4, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Yet another story of appalling neglect of people with learning disabilities, and autistic people.
www.itv.com/news/2025-03...
www.itv.com/news/2025-03...
Teams and Zoom are platforms where I have meetings imposed on me by professionals in which I inevitably have to fight to retain the care and support we so desperately need for our younger son.
I am sad to see Skype go as it is my 'safespace' where I talk to my elder son, whom I miss dreadfully.
I am sad to see Skype go as it is my 'safespace' where I talk to my elder son, whom I miss dreadfully.
March 1, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Teams and Zoom are platforms where I have meetings imposed on me by professionals in which I inevitably have to fight to retain the care and support we so desperately need for our younger son.
I am sad to see Skype go as it is my 'safespace' where I talk to my elder son, whom I miss dreadfully.
I am sad to see Skype go as it is my 'safespace' where I talk to my elder son, whom I miss dreadfully.
"We need a specific learning disability act that sets out enforceable policies to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities."
This is what we have always needed, instead of a divisive, toothless (and invisible!) Down Syndrome Act.
This is what we have always needed, instead of a divisive, toothless (and invisible!) Down Syndrome Act.
February 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"We need a specific learning disability act that sets out enforceable policies to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities."
This is what we have always needed, instead of a divisive, toothless (and invisible!) Down Syndrome Act.
This is what we have always needed, instead of a divisive, toothless (and invisible!) Down Syndrome Act.
Reposted by Clare McGrath
An essential book on understanding #LearningDisabilities and, as the title says, how we got them so wrong.
History, culture, philosophy, politics.
HUMAN BEINGS.
Couldn't be happier that this is coming out on June 5th published by Wildfire. Available for preorder now on Amazon.
@wildfirebooks.bsky.social
HUMAN BEINGS.
Couldn't be happier that this is coming out on June 5th published by Wildfire. Available for preorder now on Amazon.
@wildfirebooks.bsky.social
February 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
An essential book on understanding #LearningDisabilities and, as the title says, how we got them so wrong.
Reposted by Clare McGrath
