FAO: Minister for Disabled People Health and Work

Dear Minister

I am writing to you on behalf of the Conservative Disability Group CDG, as we were appalled to hear of the physical and emotional barbaric treatment of young disabled people at Fullerton House in Doncaster as reported by the BBC on 24 January 2023.

This is the latest report into the growing list of mis-treatment of disabled people in care homes or in Adult treatment Centres ATUs. The CDG has written on several occasions to the Secretary of State for Health to close down ATUs as committed in the parties manifesto in 2017 and yet they are still in operation.

The CDG would like you to act by further strengthening the legal protections of looked after disabled people in care homes or ATUs from systematic abuse.

The report stated: 104 incident logged reports were made between 2018 and spring 2021; Offsted received 47 alerts, but the homes kept their Good rating; staff were able to work with the children for up to 6 months before their DBS criminal record checks were completed; and it took three years for authorities to act and close Fullerton House down.

Therefore:

• The CDG would like authorities to actively investigate complaints against staff in care homes or ATUs at the first instant when reported.
• Ensure police and local authorities actively work together and share intelligence so such practices are stopped as soon as possible.
• We would also like staff who bring the complaints to be listened too and action taken at the earliest opportunity.
• We would like DBS checks completed before staff are able to work with vulnerable children or adults.
• Review Offsted’s processes to ensure that if single or multiple complaints are made action to safeguard residents are taken at the earliest opportunity.
• Give Offsted powers to instantly withdraw the trading licenses of organisations who are not safeguarding the people within their care.

This is the latest report of vulnerable and disabled people being miss treated both physically and emotionally and we do hope this will be the last. We urge you to work with your colleagues in the health and social care sectors to ensure such practices are consigned to history.

Yours sincerely

Barry Ginley

Chair

Conservative Disability Group