Alison Giraud-Saunders joined the Foundation from the Institute for Applied Health and Social Policy at King’s College London. Previously, she worked in the NHS in both commissioning and Trustroles, supporting the development of joint commissioning and person-centred services for people with learning disabilities. She also took project management responsibility for major change programmes and promoted the involvement of self advocates and family carers in service planning.

Alison has worked with health and social services across England on the organisational and service development agenda for change in line with the aims of ‘Valuing People’, including supporting the development of Partnership Boards and working with a number of authorities on community team reviews. She recently completed a three year part-time secondment to the Valuing People Support Team as Regional Adviser for the West Midlands. Alison led the ‘Valuing People’ theme for the 2006/07 Beacon Scheme and continues to work on the ways that councils as a whole can make sure they improve opportunities for their citizens who have learning disabilities.

Her special interests include:

• better opportunities for young people with learning disabilities
• ‘partnership with purpose’ – joint working between all those who need to collaborate to improve life chances for people with learning disabilities
• promoting better health and access to health services.

In her spare time Alison advises a local self advocacy organisation and sits on the board of Advance Housing & Support.

Recent publications

• Poxton, R. and Giraud-Saunders, A.M. 2002. Keys to partnership. London: Department of Health

• Giraud-Saunders, A.M., Gregory, G., Poxton, R.J., Smith, C. and Towell, D. 2003. Valuing health for all: PCTs and the health of people with learning disabilities. London: Institute for Applied Health & Social Policy, King’s College London

• Rowland-Crosby, N., Giraud-Saunders, A.M. and Swift, P. 2004. Developing Connexions: young people with disabilities, mental health needs or autism. London: Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

• Smith, C., Giraud-Saunders, A.M. and McIntosh, B. 2004. Healthy Lives: a person centred approach to health action planning. Bristol: Valuing People Support Team

• Davies, J. and Giraud-Saunders, A.M. 2006. Support and services for young people with learning disabilities and mental health problems. The Mental Health Review, 11, no. 3, pp 8-15

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