Responding to Dispatches, Channel 4 1 March 2017, Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield said:
“Dispatches exposed the paucity of high-quality community provision for children and young people with learning disabilities and complex mental health needs. It also depicted the worrying effect that seclusion, sedation and physical restraint in inpatient settings may have on these young people.
“Last year I visited St Andrew’s which featured in Dispatches and members of my team followed up with a further visit. Following these, I raised concerns about the care and treatment of young people there which reflected many of the issues raised by yesterday’s programme.
“The Prime Minister announced a welcome review of children and young people’s mental health provision earlier this year. This must look at the provision of high-quality community support for children and young people with complex mental health needs as well the provision of high-quality specialist inpatient facilities.”
