Response to the Department of Health final report

Joint statement from Mark Goldring, chief executive of Mencap and Vivien Cooper, founder of The Challenging Behaviour Foundation:

"The horrific abuse uncovered at Winterbourne View shone a spotlight on a care system that has failed some of the most vulnerable people with a learning disability. In today's report, the Government shows that it has listened to families and campaigners by committing to a national programme of change.

But words are not enough. To achieve this, commissioners in local government and the health service must take urgent, joint action to develop local services, provide support to children and families from early on, and ensure that no one else is sent away. The many hundreds of people with a learning disability who are still far from home, in institutions like Winterbourne View, must now be able to quickly return to their communities, to be close to their loved ones.

The report and concordat are a commitment to make this happen. The Government will be judged on whether change takes place across the country, with vulnerable people with a learning disability finally getting the support they need, close to home.”

To view the full report, click here.

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