Overcoming Winterbourne View:  New social care study sets out foundations for quality, cost-effective support

Joe was sectioned at the age of 17. Restrained by care staff often 15 times a day, the severely learning disabled teenager was deemed a risk to himself and his family. With no appropriate provision near his family in Oxford, Joe seemed destined for institutional care in another county.
Yet today, Joe, now 20, lives in local supported housing, has a bespoke care plan and is rebuilding his relationship with his family. His life is being transformed.

Joe’s inspiring journey towards appropriate social care is among the powerful stories published in a compelling new report today by the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG).

Another Way: transforming people’s lives through good practice in social care, is published in response to the Winterbourne View scandal earlier this year which exposed the abuse of people with complex learning disabilities at a care unit in Bristol.

Gavin Harding, who co-chairs the National Forum for People with Learning Disabilities and chairs self-help advocacy group Voices for People, writes in today’s report: “There is another way, which is presented in this report. It’s about putting people with learning disabilities and their families at the centre of planning and delivery of care.”

Through a series of interviews with families and care providers, the VODG, which brings together more than 50 leading voluntary sector disability organisations, outlines the key elements that can contribute to high quality, cost-effective care.

Another Way underlines that the foundations of support for vulnerable adults involve, amongst other issues, unique, tailor-made care plans as well as strong and creative relationships between local authorities and the care providers they commission. The report also stresses that adhering to such key issues not only leads to successful outcomes for families and individuals, but is cost-effective for commissioners and enables providers to put their values into action.

Leo Sowerby, Chief Executive of Affinity Trust, said “We continue to demonstrate that people with learning difficulties can lead fulfilling lives in ordinary community settings even if they need high levels of support. This is evidenced by the VODG report using case studies from Affinity Trust and other organisations. The study illustrates our commitment to enabling the hundreds of people we support to gain more choice and control in their lives through personalised support.”

The report reflects the national care policy drives towards personalisation and co-production which, taken together, entail more control and choice for individuals and a collaborative approach between service users and providers. Another Way is launched today at an event in London by the Think Local, Act Personal partnership which supports personalised, community-based support.

The moving testimonies in the report include the story of a young man who was in Winterbourne View before his family secured him more tailor-made support. As his father explains: “We hoped it was the right place –we could not have been more wrong.”

VODG general secretary John Adams says: “Winterbourne View symbolised all that is wrong with adult social care, but we don’t want it to be synonymous with the entire sector. Through powerful stories of support Another Way outlines the core issues that help make the lives of vulnerable people more equitable.”

Another Way: transforming people’s lives through good practice in social care is available to download from www.vodg.org.uk

Steff Lewis-Sabey

PR & Social Media Manager

Petersen
T: 01242 573311
lewis-sabey@petersencreative.com

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