Earlier this week the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) and Fitzroy bought together a broad range of stakeholders working to deliver, commission, campaign for and better understand community provision for people with a learning disability and autistic people, including people with forensic backgrounds, who are subject to unnecessary and protracted inpatient stays.
It is a human rights scandal that thousands of people remain in long-stay hospitals, not because it is the best place to meet their needs, but because there is a lack of community support.
Yet we know, when ‘the system’ has to move quickly, it does and support / housing / alternatives can be found when properly funded. We need that agility for every person, not just when existing services fail.
- We mapped existing activity, including work led by VODG, the challenging behaviour foundation, NHS England, Mencap, the University of Birmingham and the Learning Disability and Autism Housing Coalition.
- We spoke about the models that work, the barriers facing commissioners and the vital role housing plays.
- Attendees shared system blockers and levers.
- We also kept people's lived experience at the heart of our discussions, including where community support was working, had broken down and was yet to be explored.
The commitment to collaborate, to being brave and asking the tough questions was clear in the room and from those unable to join on the day. As was the need to demonstrate the expertise and ability that exists within the VCFSE sector and leverage everything at our disposal to deliver the change needed.
More to follow but in the meantime, resources from the day will be shared on our Building the Right Support Hub.
VODG members are invited to get in touch if you'd like to know more.
With thanks to Howden for hosting us.