MPs urged to move people with learning disabilities into the community faster
(PRWEB UK) 12 September 2013 -- Clive was a panel participant at an All Party-Parliamentary Group For Autism (APPGA) meeting at Westminster, in June 2013, where he urged MPs to act fast to move people into personalised support services in the community.
Clive lives in his own house supported by Dimensions, a national leading support provider for people with learning disabilities and autism.
The APPGA is a cross-party group of MPs and peers with a particular interest in issues affecting people with autism and their families. It is chaired by Robert Buckland MP and has more than 100 members.
Clive was invited to speak about the subject after the release of the Winterbourne View review report, which resulted in the government mandating four people to be moved from institutional settings to more personalised settings and integrated into community life.
Clive explained that moving from such institutions into the community was amazing, but people needed the right support package. He said: “I liked choosing my support staff, deciding what to do with my money, choosing where I live and my activities routines.”
At the meeting, Clive discussed his experience of personalisation. His lead support worker Kim Stott supported Clive, at his request.
Clive has a package of support that included Positive Behaviour Support from Dimensions’ Behaviour Support Team, allowing a successful transition period.
Susie Jenni, Clive’s Consultant Behaviour Analyst, said: “We have made a real difference to his life. I don’t know what would have happened if the Behaviour Support Team hadn’t got involved. To see him own his own home and living a happy, fulfilled life and displaying fewer episodes of challenging behaviour is so just so gratifying.
“It’s despicable to think he used to be in a wheelchair in an institution. Now he lives the life he wants to and is such a lovely person to spend time with. When he comes across scenarios that would previously lead him to display challenging behaviour, he knows what to do.”
Dimensions Chief Executive, Steve Scown, said: “Dimensions is committed to providing person-centred support tailored people’s needs, wants and aspirations. This needs to be seen across the whole sector in order for people with learning disabilities and autism to live lives of their choosing and to ensure the shocking treatment at Winterbourne View are not repeated.”
Dimensions is a specialist not-for-profit provider of support for people with learning disabilities and autism. It supports more than 3,000 people across England and Wales. For more information visit http://www.dimensions-uk.org.
Notes to Editor
For further information, interviews or case studies, contact Kayley Worsley, PR and communications officer at Dimensions, on 0300 303 9062 or 07983477838.
Laura Williams, Dimensions UK, http://www.dimensions-uk.org, +44 1249 715990, [email protected]
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