Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board
The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board is an advisory Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB). The Board's legal requirements are set out in full in the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board regulations 1991 (SI1991 No 1746). The functions of the Board are to:
- give advice to the Secretary of State on such matters as he may refer to them for consideration
- give medical advice to Medical Services doctors, on any case or question which they refer to the Board, in accordance with section 115C (4) of the Social Security Act 1975
- present to the Secretary of State an Annual Report on its activities over the year.
The Board is not part of the decision making process for benefits and has no power to intervene in individual claims for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. The Secretariat are therefore unable to help with any enquiries about claims to Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance.
A review of the Board was published in November 2007. The reviewer's report is available in the publications section.
Consultations with organisations of and for disabled people
The Board is always keen to meet national organisations of and for disabled people to discuss issues on DLA and AA that fall within the Board's statutory remit. These meetings provide a beneficial opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest.
The Board very much welcomes hearing from the organisations and is pleased to convey their informed opinions to the Department's policy makers.
More in depth information on people the Board has met and what it has learnt is available in the Annual Reports.
The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board is seeking applicants for three roles:
- A nurse with current professional knowledge of nursing people with disabilities
- A practising clinician with current knowledge and experience of treating children and adolescents with psychiatric and behavioural problems
- A professionally qualified social worker registered with the General Social Care Council currently working in the field of disability.
New appointments to the Board – public announcement
Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by exercising his powers made under Section 175(2) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, has appointed Mrs Alison Sargent, Ms Teresa Waldron and Dr Michael Webley to the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board. All three appointments are for the period 1 June 2008 to 31 May 2013.
The recent review of the Board recommended that membership of the Board be widened to include a community psychiatric nurse and/or a community worker with experience of learning difficulties. Mrs Sargent, a Regional Employment Manager and Director of Education and Employment Services with Mencap will fulfil this role.
Legislation requires that membership of the Board must include at least six disabled people. Ms Teresa Waldron who has Ushers Syndrome will fill one of these positions.
Legislation also requires that membership of the Board must include a member with knowledge or experience of medical practice. Dr Michael Webley a Consultant Rheumatologist with Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust will fill this role.