Dimensions responds to CQC state of care report

The Care Quality Commissions annual The State of health care and adult social care in England report underlines numerous challenges in delivering high quality health and social care to people with learning disabilities and autism.

Dimensions is encouraged to see that services for people with learning disabilities and autism are performing well overall, with 87% of community services rated as good and 9% rated as outstanding. But it remains the case that there are significant issues in access, quality, workforce, demand and capacity, and funding and commissioning – which mean people in need of care are left without support to meet their needs.

Steve Scown, Dimensions CEO comments “social care supports people to lead independent and fulfilling lives. It is an essential part of ensuring inclusion, equality and dignity for every individual. Good social care cannot be a ‘post-code lottery’ in a truly inclusive society and today’s report underlines the need to plan, fund and deliver services consistently across the country.”

“We see every day what good support can mean to someone with a learning disability or autism and their family. At the same time we continue to feel the growing pressures on the social care sector that increasingly ask providers to do more with less.”

Dimensions welcomes the CQC’s particular attention to the Transforming Care programme; accessible health services; and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, all of which impact profoundly on the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism. The focus serves as a reminder of the many issues to be addressed alongside that of long-term funding for social care, due to be consulted on this autumn.

Scown continued “the much anticipated green paper is due any week now. Today’s report underlines areas of concern that must be addressed in the green paper, but also causes for hope and optimism about how high-quality, person-centred care can be delivered to those who need it. We look forward to engaging with the green paper to set out our vision for the future of social care.”