Winterbourne View Case Review
There has been very little media comment following last weeks Panorama report on Winterbourne View despite the serious Winterbourne View case review being extensively flagged in the programme.
The review was especially critical of Commissioners and regulators as well as the service itself and the owners of Winterbourne View – Castlebeck. It concluded that the service itself should never have been built and that the solution to “warehousing” people with Learning Disabilities in long stay institutions is local, bespoke provision.
How can commissioners and providers come together to ensure that the lessons of the Winterbourne View case review are learned and that the poor practice uncovered by Panorama does not happen again? Certainly both commissioners and providers need to enter into dialogue on what local services are provided and what is affordable, but monitoring ongoing service provision is also key to effective and high quality service provision.
Winterbourne View Case Review Solutions.
The challenge to Local Authority and Health commissioners in a time of austerity, is how to effectively monitor local provision. Monitoring is resource hungry and most Local Authorities have restructured contract teams which has often meant less people to do the work needed. Whilst Care Commissioning Solutions can assist commissioners to plan and implement monitoring processes that will ensure providers meet the needs of people in their care, there is a need for clear and transparent commissioning plans that are understood by providers who need to be engaged in the process.
Is it time for contracts to be re-negotiated to include the extra resources needed to turn around failing services are funded at least in part by provider organisations? Although this view may not be popular it is in the best interest of all parties, not least those that actually use services, to ensure high quality services that deliver agreed outcomes around choice, independence and control.
If you have any thoughts on this post or would like further information on how Care Commissioning Solutions can offer social care provision guidance then get in touch via our contact page.