The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has launched a unique training programme aimed at encouraging disabled people into the housing profession.

The Positive Action for Disability (PAfD) programme offers a unique traineeship scheme to disabled people who are looking for a career in housing. The scheme is being run in association with several progressive housing associations who want to increase the number of disabled people who work in the sector. Over the next five years, they aim to support 120 disabled people through training and into placements within the sector.

In October 2008 there were changes to the law on buying from a salesperson in your home. Now in most cases, you have seven days to cancel a purchase worth over £35. In addition, your right to cancel should be given to you in writing by the trader. If you're not given this information, they can't hold you to anything in the contract.

If you decide to cancel, you must let the trader know in writing within 7 days of being told about your right to cancel. It is advised that you should keep a copy of your letter or email as proof of cancellation.

We are delighted to announce that the Rowan Organisation has retained the Direct Payments support contract for the county of Warwickshire from 1st April 2009.

Over the last couple of years, the growth in the numbers of people receiving Direct Payments has steadily increased. By the end of March 2009, the Rowan Organisation was supporting over 650 people.

There are two key changes in legislation in April 2009 that affect employers, so if you employ personal assistants or carers then these changes will affect you.

The first of these relates to discipline and grievance procedures and the second is about the increase to annual holiday entitlement.