Derbyshire: New factsheet released to help people with learning disabilities stay safe.

A series of factsheets to help people with learning disabilities stay safe has been produced as part of Derbyshire County Council’s Hate Crime and Keeping Safe Project.

People with learning disabilities are often more vulnerable to bullying, abuse and hate crime and to help address this, MacIntyre, a national charity, has developed the Keeping Safe factsheets that cover the following issues:

- Internet safety

- Friends or pretend friends

- Travelling safely

- Visitors at home

- Safety when out and about

- Protecting your home

- Keeping secrets (covering areas such as crime and bullying)

- Identity theft.

The leaflets have been welcomed by the County Council and have now been posted on its website.

The Hate Crime and Keeping Safe project is funded by Derbyshire County Council and supported by MacIntyre, Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Learning Disability Partnership Board.

It predominantly aims to stop the bullying and abuse of people with learning disabilities and assist them in staying safe.

Derbyshire County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Councillor, Rob Davison, said: “It’s important that people with learning disabilities feel safe and secure. The Keeping Safe project is an important part of supporting people to lead independent lives, feel confident about getting out and about and dealing with others.”

County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor, Paul Smith, added: “These new factsheets are focussed on the issues we know that people with learning disabilities can be faced with. They will give them, their families and carers peace of mind, knowing that if they do need help, they know what to do and where to go where people can help them.”

For more information on the Keeping Safe factsheets and the project, visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/keepingsafe.