Dimensions' response to Panorama's follow-up to Winterbourne View

I fear the government's final report, on this sorry but all too common scandal, of Winterbourne View with the other scandals we have had. I wonder if the government will ever wake up and smell the coffee, as in their report some of the things they are suggesting - for example consulting with advocacy groups along with the government's other agenda (like cuts to public and frontline services and not so much money around), when they look at talking to advocacy groups there will be none around as most are folding because of lack of funds and who is going to speak up for people with a learning disability? I am a bit scared who that will be or in what format that could happen, given some of the things I have suggested might happen in the next couple of years. I feel this issue is being kicked in the long grass as governments of either political colour want to tackle this in a meaningful way. Yes, in Winterbourne View we had criminal convictions, but with 2 years being the maximum sentence handed down by the judge and some of it taken off time served, it doesn't send a message we are taking this seriously. I finish on when we'll hear when the next big scandal for people with learning disabilities will happen - 5 years, 1 year, five weeks, who knows... I hope I am wrong, but I doubt it.

Hi, first let me say there is no excuse for abuse of any nature. I am a support worker and within my role I find you are not given enough information about the person you are supporting. When you do try and support people with the information you have, you are then under scrutiny for trying to do your job. Training yes is an important factor within our jobs but so is communication and support from our managers and until we all receive this problems will occur. Christine

Dear Lisa, I agree educating the carers to better understand who you are about as a person is the most important first step. Secondly please keep speaking Lisa abuse has got to stop Much Love Jamiel

Hi

I am a person who has Autism and ADHD. I feel that the biggest problem I have to deal with is that I am not given the respect that I deserve.

I try to lead my life the best way that I can! But I find that when I behave in a way, that is different from that which non autistic person would, my behavior is said to be 'challenging'. In this type of situation I find that persons who call my behaviour challenging, think they have the right to verbally and physically bully and abuse me!

Nobody else seems to challenge, the person who is bullying me. Also if this person calls the police, they will believe them and definitely not believe me.

I find that my challenging behaviour, only occurs when I am frightened! My Autism means that I can be bullied, in such a way, that isn't noticed by bystanders. This is because I am more affected by most forms of abuse. Thus the abuse goes under the radar.

I have tried to work, but I had to leave my last job, because I was sexually abused. The management weren't not interested in helping me deal with the abuse. I was not given help to assist me to stand up for myself.

When I tried to get another job, the Jobcentre, the supported employment service, and several disability charities all refused to help me.

Nobody seems to listen to me when I it comes to my needs, education and skills are concerned. They all seem to only consider, very basic jobs opportunities as possibilities, even when I explain why they are not suitable. They seem to consider that they know my needs and abilities, much better than I do!

The above experiences are shared by other friends with Autism.

Lisa

Unfortunately the low wages paid to carers means that the job is perceived as low paid = low status. To attract, recruit and retain quality carers the wages should reflect the importance and responsible nature of the job we do. Good quality, well trained and committed carers deserve to be paid accordingly. That way, the events that happened at Winterbourne should never be repeated.