David Potter MBE, founder of the charity Prospects, reflects on the Panorama programme exposing the shocking truth.
Way back in June 1981, Associated Television broadcast a devastating documentary called Silent Minority.
It was an expose of state-run institutions in the UK for people with learning disabilities. It revealed the shocking abuse and mistreatment to which they were subjected in two ‘subnormality hospitals’ — yes, we really did talk of them like that. Norman Fowler, Secretary of State responsible at the time, said that it was not the norm, but it led to similarly awful conditions being exposed up and down the country. Every parent of a person with a learning disability who saw the programme would have looked on in horror knowing that those institutions were the most likely future for their son or daughter when they themselves could no longer provide care.
Government policy
As a direct outcome of that programme, government policy changed and, in due course, all long-term support and care for people with a learning disability was moved out into the community. Today it is almost entirely undertaken by private and voluntary organisations in small homes on ordinary streets. Regulations have multiplied to ensure the wellbeing of this most vulnerable sector of society.
Communities still have difficulty accepting the presence of people with learning disabilities, but, in general, the climate is less hostile than in the past. And the services provided are now subject to outside inspection and monitoring. Parents can feel more relaxed about the prospects for their adult children — or so they thought!
Almost 30 years to the day after Silent Minority was broadcast, on May 31 2011, Panorama broadcast a secretly filmed documentary of life in a care home-cum-hospital for people with severe learning disabilities in Bristol. Even professionals were distraught at what they saw of abuse bordering on torture meted out to some of the residents of the hospital by its professional staff. Parents caught their breath and watched with tears and terror as they saw their worst fears being played out on screen. The Care Quality Commission fudged its regrets, barely able to admit its total failure to safeguard the wellbeing of people who are dependent on their watchfulness.
Arrests
This time the government responded with genuine concern, with the Prime Minister demanding an enquiry. The police arrested the leading perpetrators of cruelty the very next day and, since the programme, have bailed a total of 11 staff. The proprietors of the hospital have apologised and all the residents have now been relocated. The home was closed before the end of June. As before, the government hopes that this was an exceptional case; few parents feel as optimistic.
Prospects
This is the context for the ongoing work of Prospects, the Christian agency providing care and support for over 350 people with a learning disability in over 70 locations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and employing over 700 staff in its service and ministry. It has campaigned over the 30 years between these two programmes for a clearly biblical and Christian response to the one-and- a-half million people with learning disabilities now living within the catchment area of every local church. It has supported hundreds of Christian families as they have endeavoured to ensure the long-term welfare of a dependent with a learning disability.
More to be done
But Prospects is very aware that there is much more to be done. 29,000 people with learning disabilities live with carers who are themselves over 70 years of age and who face the need to find suitable provision in the near future. Of these, between 3,000 and 4,000 are Christian families who want to ensure that their son or daughter can continue to live in an environment which will be supportive of their Christian faith and culture — as well as being safe! Prospects is in discussions with families in Coventry, York, Bath and Cardiff with a view to finding solutions in these areas. Parents elsewhere are asking for its help.
Ongoing support
At the same time, the changing needs of people supported, changing expectations and regulations require that Prospects’ existing services adapt to provide the highest standards of good practice. The Panorama programme has brought home the need for the distinctive contribution that Prospects can offer. To achieve this, the ongoing support of the Christian community in prayer, giving and practical help is essential to enable people with learning disabilities to live their lives to the full.
Visit http://www.prospects.org.uk for more information.
The Panorama programme can be viewed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011pwt6
