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Learning disabilities White Paper

  • Last modified date:
    8 November 2007

The White Paper, Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century was published on 20 March 2001. It is the first White Paper on learning disability for thirty years and sets out an ambitious and challenging programme of action for improving services

The proposals in the White Paper (linked below) are based on four key principles: civil rights, independence, choice and inclusion. Valuing People takes a life-long approach, beginning with an integrated approach to services for disabled children and their families and then providing new opportunities for a full and purposeful adult life. It has cross-Government backing and its proposals are intended to result in improvements in education, social services, health, employment, housing and support for people with learning disabilities and their families and carers.

Accompanying publications

A number of additional publications accompany the white paper:

Additional links

Learning disability service framework

A comprehensive and enhanced service specification for PCT and practice based commissioners in 2007 to 2008.

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