The CQC are reviewing the use of restraint, seclusion and segregation in places that provide care for people with a learning disability and/or autism and mental health problems.
Phase one looked at how segregation is used in child and adolescent mental health services and hospitals for people with learning disability and/or autism. We are now in phase two of the review which is looking at restrictive interventions in adult social care services, mental health rehabilitation and low secure hospitals, and some children’s residential services. The visits in phase two will go on until the end of October and the team will be visiting approximately 40 services.
If our inspectors or Mental Health Act Reviewers (MHAR) encounter any concerns on visits to hospitals or adult social care services, they will take action. We are publishing the joint escalation agreement we have with NHS England which outlines which organisations have responsibility to raise and escalate concerns at different levels. The Learning Disability and Autism Reducing Restrictive Practices National Oversight Group are responsible for overseeing this agreement.
Visits are only one way we are gathering information through the review and we will also be using a variety of other methods including engagement with people with lived experience, literature reviews and provider surveys.
Our Expert Advisory Group (EAG) will continue to offer constructive challenge at key stages of the review, and you can keep up to date on progress by reading the monthly RSS review blog, posted at the end of each month on Medium.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more please email RSSthematic@cqc.org.uk