Longer term reform need

It is shocking to see a rise in unexpected deaths, serious incidents and abuse allegations that people with learning disabilities are experiencing in home care and supported living.

Whilst better reporting and an increase in supported living has a role to play in this increase, these latest CQC figures reflect the increasing number of stories we’re hearing throughout the sector of poor care, abuse and neglect.

With the recent LeDeR report highlighting the alarmingly low life expectancy people with learning disabilities face due to institutional discrimination and inequalities, we need radical change in the sector.

Chronic underfunding of social care is exacerbating the issue, creating an environment for the kind of incidents we see in these figures.

We have worked hard to negotiate proper levels of funding, but we urgently need longer term reform that paves the way for safe, high quality support.

Good supported living can transform people’s lives.

We look to the social care green paper to provide sustainable reform and funding for a sector in crisis.

Until this becomes a reality, we will continue to suffer unnecessarily. Head of Public Affairs at Dimensions Theale, Reading Alicia Wood,