Parliamentary hearings on institutional abuse

The Joint Committee on Human Rights is investigating the unnecessary institutionalisation of children with learning disabilities or autism.

News | 08.04.19

The Joint Committee on Human Rights has been investigating the detention of children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism:

"As a result of evidence arising from its inquiry into youth detention: solitary confinement and restrain, the Committee has taken evidence on the inappropriate detention of children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism in mental health hospitals and the threat that such placements pose to their human rights."

On 27 March, Dame Christine Lenehan, Director, Council for Disabled Children, Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, Doughty Street Chambers and Dr Simon Duffy, Director, Centre for Welfare Reform gave evidence to the Committee.

You can listen to the recording here:

All the oral and written evidence that has been submitted so far can be accessed at:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/detention-children-learning-disabilities-autism-inquiry-17-19/

On 3 April Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister of State for Care, Department of Health and Social Care and Jonathan Marron, Director General, Community and Social Care, Department of Health and Social Care were also questioned. A recording of the session is available at:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/news-parliament-2017/young-people-autism-detention-evidence-17-19/

Dr Simon Duffy said:

“It is good that the Committee recognises that the detention of children, and adults, in these hospitals is an abuse of human rights. They have heard powerful testimony from families and from people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Our challenge is to help people understand why this is happening and why the current model of health and social care will not solve this problem. It is time for radical action: close these hospitals and commit to the new models of community support people really need.”

The Centre's submission to the Inquiry will be published shortly.

Update: The Centre's submission is available to read at:

https://www.centreforwelfarereform.org/library/close-down-the-atus.html

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