Latest data highlights major concerns on the inappropriate detention of people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
and/or autistic people. Mencap, along with The
Challenging Behaviour
Challenging behaviour can be when someone hurts themselves, hits or pinches someone else, or breaks something. Some people might behave like this because they are upset or because people do not understand them.
Foundation, National Autistic Society and other
organisations
Organisations are groups like companies and businesses.
have written to the Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, urging swift action to address the situation
Jackie O’Sullivan, Executive Director of
Strategy
A strategy is a plan to show what an organisation, or a person, wants to do and how they are going to do it.
and Influence of learning disability charity Mencap said:
“It’s of great concern that every national target to transform care for people with a learning disability and / or
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
to date, has been missed and the situation is now starting to go backwards in many areas. This new data shows there is an unacceptable postcode lottery for those trapped in mental health units and their families desperate for them to come out.
“Thousands of people are still being locked away, often for years on end, many due to a lack of suitable
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
support – not because they need inpatient mental health treatment. In these settings, people can be subjected to physical restraint and kept in solitary confinement for months on end, leaving people with lasting trauma.
“The Government, health bodies and local authorities must acknowledge that progress is unravelling in many areas and take action to address this. It’s unacceptable that an increasing number of local areas are failing to meet long promised targets to reduce the number of people in mental health hospitals and alarmingly, we’re seeing inpatient rates rising in a significant number of local areas too.
“Through reform of the Mental Health Act the Government aims to end the inappropriate detention of people with a learning disability and autistic people but the key change in the
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
that will make a difference will only be activated when ‘sufficient community support’ is in place. It’s hard to see how this will be achieved when there’s a lack of community support, ongoing
cuts
Cuts are when there is less money to pay for things like clubs and support.
and no plan to improve the situation.”
A copy of the joint letter can be found here
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: media@mencap.org.uk or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
Note to editors
About Mencap
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health, social care and
employment
Employment means having a job.
opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
What is a learning disability?
- A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
- Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect. With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
