What is a consultation?
A
consultation
Consultation is finding out what people think about something.
is when a public body (for example a governmental department or local
council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
) asks for people’s views on their proposals to change their service, policy or legislation on something.
Why are consultations important to Mencap NI?
Consultations are a very important part of the decision-making process.
We want to ensure that the voices of children and adults with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
and their parents/carers and families who would be affected by changes are at the heart of the conversation. We want to ensure that individuals with a learning disability
rights
Rights are the things everyone should be allowed to do like have a say, or go to school.
are a reality, and that are equally valued and included within the consultation process.
Mencap respond to consultations in various ways, the most regular would be a written response.
Mencap also host
focus groups
Where a group of people meet to talk about a topic, and a researcher asks them some questions.
and on occasion will invite the officials who are preparing the consultation to directly listen to feedback.
How can I get involved?
If you would like to become more involved with Mencap NI consultation please contact Liam Burns, our Senior Policy & Research Officer at liam.burns@mencap.org.uk.