SCIE media releases 2007
No excuse for poor quality of care for people with learning disabilities
03 December 2007
“There is no excuse for the poor quality of care for people with learning disabilities revealed in today’s Healthcare Commission report,” said Allan Bowman, chair of the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
“The Social Care Institute for Excellence is very concerned by the revelation that people with learning disabilities continue to be deprived of human rights and dignity.
“Social care and health services must enable people to live their lives as independently as possible within the community. The majority of the majority of people in NHS care could be supported to live in other settings which offer them more potential to live fulfilling lives.
“Services must base their practice on the evidence-base, promote independence, invest in the skills of their staff and strengthen their leadership. Clear guidance is already available – including SCIE’s own guidance on self-advocacy services and models of community-based services.
“Finally, we welcome the Healthcare Commissions commitment to continuing spot checks to ensure that improvements are made.”
SCIE's related work on services for people with learning disabilities
- Practice guide 10: Community-based day activities and supports for people with learning disabilities
- Position paper 06: Supporting self-advocacy
- Research briefing 2: Access to primary care services for people with learning disabilities
- Knowledge review 11: Supporting disabled parents and parents with additional support needs
- Practice guide 7: Making referrals to the POVA list
- Practice guide 4: Adult placements and person-centred approaches
- Research briefing 14: Helping parents with learning disabilities in their role as parents
- Research briefing 5: Short breaks (respite care) for children with learning disabilities
Media contact
Iris Steen | Director of Communications| Social Care Institute for Excellence| T: 020 7089 7122 | Mobile: 07885 736 643 | Iris.Steen@scie.org.uk
