The Housing and Support Alliance (H&SA) has appointed Dr Simon Duffy, Director of The Centre for Welfare Reform, as its new chair.
Release | 04.08.13
The Housing and Support Alliance (H&SA) has appointed Dr Simon Duffy, Director of The Centre for Welfare Reform, as its new chair.
The H&SA is a national charity and membership organisation that promotes person centred approaches to housing and support for people with learning disabilities. Dr Simon Duffy is a philosopher, social innovator, writer, public speaker and government policy advisor, both nationally and internationally, who has worked for over 20 years to find practical ways to improve the welfare system. As well as forming and leading The Centre for Welfare Reform, Dr Duffy is policy advisor to the Campaign for a Fair Society and an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham’s Health Service Management Centre. Speaking about his appointment, he says:
“I look forward to working with an organisation that is committed to innovation and change, and is prepared to challenge injustices such as on-going institutionalisation of people with learning disabilities, unfair benefit cuts and the 33% cut in social care.”
Alicia Wood (Chief Executive H&SA) says:
“I am delighted that Simon will be leading us. He brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective, and I expect him to both challenge us and bring together our diverse membership. He’s joining at a busy time. Our membership has grown by more than 30% in the nine months since we formed, and we have a lot of work ahead of us. Following the Winterbourne View scandal, we will continue to take a strong stance on how people with the most complex needs can live in their communities successfully, promoting housing and support models that give people real choice and control over their lives, and do not replicate institutional models.”
Dr Duffy concludes:
“The H&SA shares with me a passion for human rights, and for ensuring all people can be true citizens. We are not about protecting how things are but working collaboratively to change the sector.”
Dr Simon Duffy is available for interview, and to offer opinion and comment on social care, housing and learning disabilities issues.
For further information, contact Alicia Wood
