WHO CARES? BBC PANORAMA INVESTIGATION MONDAY 31 MAY 2011

“The abuse detailed in the programme is shocking and disturbing, although sadly not surprising. In the last year, Voice UK’s helpline has taken over 2,000 calls relating to these types of abuse in care settings, in day centres and in people’s own homes. We must accept that abuse and ill treatment of people with learning difficulties, and others, exists and redouble our efforts to ensure we do all we can to stop it” says Kathryn Stone OBE, CEO at Voice UK

Ask three learning disability charities who have joined forces to condemn the appalling abuse uncovered by Panorama investigator Paul Kenyon in tonight’s BBC1 programme ‘Undercover Care: the Abuse Exposed’

People with learning disabilities and other vulnerable patients were subjected to physical assaults, systematic brutality, and torture by the very staff supposed to be caring for them.

“The abuse detailed in the programme is shocking and disturbing, although sadly not surprising. In the last year, Voice UK’s helpline has taken over 2,000 calls relating to these types of abuse in care settings, in day centres and in people’s own homes. We must accept that abuse and ill treatment of people with learning difficulties, and others, exists and redouble our efforts to ensure we do all we can to stop it” says Kathryn Stone OBE, CEO at Voice UK

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case, but the latest in a long line of cases where staff in publicly funded care homes and hospitals have been found to abuse residents (see ‘Notes for Editors’ at end for details of previous cases).

“The warning signs will have been present but this is yet another example of these being ignored and abuse being allowed to continue unreported. We have to ensure that systems are in place that give staff the confidence to raise concerns and to be listened to’, says Deborah Kitson, CEO at the Ann Craft Trust.

It is also indicative of the discrimination faced by people with learning disabilities, who are not only considered inferior by some people but are less likely to be believed and taken as seriously than other patients when they try to report abuse.

“A big part of the problem is poor training – staff don’t know good practice and don’t recognise the value of people with learning disabilities” explains Richard Curen, CEO at Respond.  “Managers also do not always get the training on how to tackle abuse and respond appropriately to whistleblowers’ concerns. We call on all care organisations to make sure that all their staff are properly trained.”

Ends

Notes for Editors:

At Medina Road Residential Home in north London staff encouraged people with learning disabilities to fight and racially abuse each other (March 2007) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6456285.stm

At Orchard Hill hospital in Carshalton, south London people with learning disabilities were subjected to physical and sexual abuse (Jan 2007) http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/jan/17/disability.socialcare

At Budock Hospital (Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust) there was "widespread institutional abuse" of people with learning disabilities (July 2006) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5148154.stm

Background info on the three charities:

Respond

Respond works with children and adults with learning disabilities who have experienced abuse or trauma, as well as those who have abused others, through psychotherapy, advocacy, campaigning and other support. We also run a helpline.

www.respond.org.uk

VOICE UK

VOICE UK is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable people who have experienced crime or abuse.

www.voiceuk.org.uk

Ann Craft Trust

ACT works to ensure that organisations that support people disabled children and vulnerable adults are aware of abuse and protection issues. We provide services to raise professional awareness and also to increase the knowledge and skills of professionals who can then help reduce the risk of abuse and support people who have been abused.

www.anncrafttrust.org

For more info please contact:

Louise Wallis – Policy & Campaigns Officer, Respond: 07970 577750

Kathryn Stone - CEO Voice UK: 01332 291042

Deborah Kitson – CEO Ann Craft Trust: 0115 951 5400