Winterbourne View highlights the need for providers to be "properly held to account"

The care system has been ‘found wanting’ in relation to the safeguarding of adults with complex needs, according to Sarah Pickup, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).

Responding to the Government’s final report on the Winterbourne View scandal, published yesterday, Mrs Pickup spoke of the need for better personalisation of care for adults with a learning disability and for providers to “coordinate care around individuals rather than services”.

“Only measures such as these will provide people with learning disabilities with the care and support they need to help ensure they are safe; that they can maximise their potential, and can live as independently as possible.”

Mrs Pickup continues: “We must ensure that providers in future are properly held to account for this kind of failure.

“This case has led us to look across the system at how we are meeting the needs of others when they come to us in the midst of a crisis – or with complex needs that require assessment and treatment before any long-term arrangements for accommodation, care and support can be put in place.

“We have found this system wanting.”

A programme of action is now under way, in which the Department of Health sets out six key objectives being: to strengthen the accountability of boards of directors and senior managers; to review all current placements; to develop ‘joint plans’ for all areas of learning disability and mental health support; to reduce hospital placements; to strengthen inspections; and to create a new NHS and local-government led improvement team.

A progress report will be published in December 2013.

Mrs Pickup comments: “The reports published on Winterbourne View impel us all to turn these principles into reality for all – especially for the most vulnerable.

“Previous policy drives have led to many people with learning disabilities up and down the country receiving excellent, personalised care that maximises their independence. We know perfectly well how to achieve this. Yet at Winterbourne View and perhaps elsewhere we have failed a group of the most vulnerable of people with learning disabilities. We must now work to ensure that they too can benefit from the best services we can and do arrange.

“We must ensure that when one part of the system arranges a service to meet an immediate and urgent need that there is an immediate connection to the rest of the system so that planning for a longer term solution can begin immediately.”

Debbie Sorkin, acting chief executive of the National Skills Academy, called for a focus on leadership: “There is a body of research across the sector illustrating the strong correlation between quality of leadership and quality of services, and it is vital that the spotlight remains on leadership, and the positive impact it can have, in addressing difficult issues and in times of austerity. Our Leadership Qualities Framework shows what good leadership looks like for everyone involved in providing care and support, from junior to senior levels. The Academy is delighted to have the opportunity to help strengthen Board awareness and capacity around leadership issues.”