Children’s needs

How refreshing to hear Paul Burstow, a former UK minister for care services, talk so positively about residential care (your report, 22 July).

Mr Burstow is leading a new commission to “rehabilitate the reputation” of care homes to ensure that they have a valued place in the care system. His review will look at residential homes for the elderly as the number of over-85s needing round-the-clock care grows exponentially.

But should the debate about residential care stop there? While a review of elderly provision is undoubtedly needed, my deeply held wish is that the same positive approach can be taken towards long-term care for our profoundly learning-disabled young people. For children who no longer fall under the care of the education authorities, there is very little choice, yet they still need a responsive and specialist care system 24/7.

As Holyrood’s consultation on the Children & Young Person (Scotland) Bill closes this week, I hope that ministers will recognise that not all young people with complex physical and learning disabilities can live at home, and that a high-quality residential care system is as vital for these people in a socially responsible society as it is for our elderly generation.

Ann Maxwell

Muir Maxwell Trust