Learning Disability Today
Supporting professionals working in learning disability and autism services

Report calls for needs of individuals with learning disabilities to be at heart of care

CQC logoThe quality of care for people with learning disabilities is too variable across England and services should be community-based and person centred, close to family and local contacts, a report has concluded.

The report, ‘3 Lives’, by care regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Challenging Behaviour Foundation (CBF) focuses on the stories of how three young people and their families were let down by learning disability services that should have been caring for them.

‘3 Lives’ looks at the experiences of Connor, Kayleigh and Lisa. The strong message from these stories is that their care for was not based on their individual needs and did not put them and their families at the heart of their care.

The report is the result of an event chaired by CQC board member, Professor Louis Appleby, which heard stories from the parents of two of the individuals described in the report. It outlines the experiences of:

 18-year-old Connor, who died at an assessment and treatment centre after he was found unconscious after a seizure whilst unsupervised in a bath

Kayleigh, who spent 10 years in assessment and treatment centres, including Winterbourne View

Lisa who was kept for the majority of the time in a locked area at an assessment and treatment centre with staff interacting with her through a small letterbox-style hatch.

Action plan

The report outlines actions that CQC and others have committed to take in order help people in the same situation. Progress against these actions will be reviewed in the autumn.

Actions for CQC:

 CQC’s inspection programme of services for people with learning disabilities and their families will focus on how people are served. This will include using experts by experience in the inspections. Inspections will place a much greater emphasis upon the lived experience of individuals and the actions/outcomes being achieved to support their discharge

CQC will align, and where possible integrate, its duties under the Mental Health Act with its programme of inspections of Mental Health and Learning Disability Services

 CQC and CBF to write to the Office for Disability Issues and the Department of Health to ask how they will address wider strategic independent advocacy issues

 CQC with CBF to convene group of interested and skilled lawyers to clearly set out the legal issues involved in the three stories shared, so that people’s legal rights are explained, and legal recourse is available.

Actions for others:

Professional accountabilities need to be emphasised again by professional regulators and Royal Colleges

The Learning Disability Census and NHS England Quarterly Data Collection data, which identifies who is in the hospital system and duration of stay, must continue to drive commissioner reviews and encourage more assertive action for community-based living arrangements

The Mental Health Act Code of Practice under review to set out parameters of acceptable practice about long term detention under the MHA

 Health Education England is responsible for workforce development and must plan for this requirement

 The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services to lead a review of community learning disability provision

 The system partners need to carry out a proper analysis supported by epidemiological data to identify future need and commission appropriate local community and housing services accordingly.

Everyone’s responsibility

“The care of people with learning disabilities should be a touchstone for the values of the NHS as a whole and how the care system responds to the stories in the 3 Lives report should be seen as a key sign of its progress on safety,” said Appleby.

“Everyone involved in services for people with learning disabilities – commissioners, providers and regulators – need to make sure that they put the needs of individuals first and wherever possible provide care close to home.”

Vivien Cooper, CEO of the CBF, added: “We know how to support people well and we know the importance of valuing families as key partners. There is no excuse for getting it wrong.”

Tip of the iceberg

Kayleigh’s mum, Wendy Fiander, said: “These 3 lives are just the tip of a very large iceberg. We need to ensure that our most vulnerable and voiceless people are cared for as individuals with dignity and respect.

“In order to achieve this we must make families integral to any plans for their future. It is abhorrent that such appalling situations continue to occur in the aftermath of Winterbourne View and together we must pledge to stop it.”

Connor’s mum, Sara Ryan, said: “Three lives, and three stories that are beyond shameful. It’s time to stop talking and act to change the paucity of aspiration and provision for learning disabled people.”

To read the report, click here

author avatar
LDT Editor

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More