Learning Disability England members representatives have written a blog about the findings of abuse following an ‘inadequate’ CQC inspection that was published on 23 September of Yew Trees, a private Assessment and Treatment Unit.
This latest abuse being shown at Yew Trees has happened even though
- the government has said it will make changes
- The Transforming Care programme has been in place for many years
- the hard work of many campaigners
And it has happened during lockdown, in a closed environment without enough checking by anyone from outside.
We believe there must be something different done now.
A programme of service changes is not working.
We are all failing to make the differences that are needed.
Most of all we think that is seeing people with learning disabilities as equal people with the rights everyone else has.
People with learning disabilities must lead the changes working with family members and supporters.
These people know what is needed to stop this system that is not working.
We support the idea of an inquiry and changes led by the people with real experience and their supporters who have proved how people with learning disabilities and autistic people can live a good life with support that helps and respects them.
We will keep working with our members and partners to try to get this to happen.
Examples of what is possible can be found in the work of:
Helping People Thrive and the work of Baroness Hollins
#RightfulLives Rightful Lives campaign
Read more about the #Right2Home online tool to challenge COVID visiting restrictions here
You can read the full CQC report about Yew Trees here
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation have information and resources for families if they think their family member is not being cared for properly or coming to harm. Find them here