Winterbourne View 10 years on

A group of families with relatives who were at Winterbourne View have published their family stories reflecting on the last ten years since the Winterbourne View scandal. Read ‘Tea, smiles and empty promises.’

‘Tea, smiles and empty promises’

Today (Thursday 27^th May) a group of families with relatives who were at Winterbourne View are publishing a collection of family stories ‘Tea, smiles and empty promises’, reflecting on the decade since BBC Panorama exposed abuse at Winterbourne View hospital and the lack of progress in Transforming Care.

Several other families with relatives with learning disabilities and/ or autism have also contributed their experiences of support for their relative.

‘Tea, smiles and empty promises’ calls for urgent action to:

Avoid traumatising children and adults with learning disabilities and autistic people in the first place by providing the right support at the right time in the right place
A focus shift to early intervention and preventing admission/ readmission, as well as getting people out of inpatient units
Provide appropriate trauma support for individuals and their families

Download ‘Tea, smiles and empty promises’

The families have joined together to write a letter to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, demanding action and delivery of “real, enduring change” to stop this domestic human rights scandal:

Read the letter to the Prime Minister

Get involved and email your MP now

The families have also put together a very short film, highlighting some of the stories shared in ‘Tea, smiles and empty promises’:

Short film from the families featured in ‘Tea, smiles and empty promises.’

Vivien Cooper OBE, CEO of the Challenging Behaviour Foundation, says:

The messages from the families who have shared their experiences 10 years after the abuse at Winterbourne View was exposed are stark and clear – however you look at it, care has not been transformed. Think what can be achieved in 10 years – then consider how little has changed for so many people with learning disabilities and autistic people whose behaviour challenges. I hope that those in positions of power and influence, those who have high status and whose job it is to deliver the transformation of care, read these accounts and reflect on the devastating and lasting impact inappropriate admission has on children, adults and families – and how that impact and the consequences continue, year in, year out. We know what to do, what works, and how to do it – we need strong leadership, and people with the will, skills and determination to make this a priority and take action.

Please share widely with your networks. If sharing on social media, use the hashtag #Winterbourne10YearsOn to join in the conversation.

Support for ‘Winterbourne View 10 years on’

Please see the statement of support written by the British Psychological Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology and Faculty for People with Intellectual Disabilities:

Statement of support from BPS

Support for families

We recognise that reading the report, and hearing and seeing media coverage around the anniversary will be extremely difficult for lots of families. If you or someone you know is struggling, please do get in touch for support. Details are below:

If your relative has a severe learning disability, you can contact the Challenging Behaviour Foundation Family Support Service (0300 6660126 or email support@thecbf.org.uk)
Mencap Helpline: 0808 8081111 or email helpline@mencap.org.uk
If your relative is autistic you can contact the National Autistic Society’s Autism inpatient mental health casework service (England only)