For People in Assessment and Treatment Units

Many individuals in ATUs, like Aaron, Susan, and Indy, have faced multiple failed placements in supported living. These setbacks often result from systemic issues, not personal failings. At Dimensions, we focus on empowering individuals to transition successfully into environments where they can thrive.

We always believe in the person, we are ambitious on their behalf when others may have given up. We provide best practices for professionals, families, and policymakers examining how to support people successfully out of ATUs.

Why Do People Stay in ATUs?

ATUs are intended to be short-term, but many individuals remain due to:

• Insufficient discharge planning
• Funding challenges that focus on immediate costs over long-term savings
• Lack of tailored housing and support solutions

How Dimensions Support Transitions out of ATUs

At Dimensions, we are committed to helping people leave ATUs and build fulfilling lives through:

• Person-Centred Planning: Early involvement allows us to create tailored housing and support plans.
• Family Collaboration: Families play a key role in advocating for transitions, working alongside our team to drive change.
• Trust and Long-Term Thinking: While initial support may involve higher costs, these often reduce over time as individuals gain independence.
  2050 autistic people and people with a learning disability are locked up in long stay hospitals and assessment and treatment units today.

The average person has been locked up this way for five years. Only half (54%) have a family to speak up for them. Most are on strong medication. Many will not understand why any of these things are happening to them.

The transforming care programme, designed to end the culture of locking people up in the wake of the Winterbourne View scandal 13 years ago, has moved excruciatingly slowly.

Transforming care to support individuals transitioning out of Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs) focuses on providing person-centred, community-based alternatives that prioritise independence, dignity, and quality of life.

ATUs are meant for short-term stabilisation, but many individuals with learning disabilities or autism remain in these restrictive environments due to a lack of appropriate local services. The transforming care agenda aims to address this by developing specialist housing, enhancing multidisciplinary support in communities, and fostering early intervention to prevent crises. This approach requires collaboration across health, social care, and housing sectors to ensure timely discharges and sustainable support plans tailored to individual needs for which we at Dimensions fully support.

Mental Health Act

The government is advancing a Mental Health Bill aimed at reforming the Mental Health Act 1983, with significant implications for ATUs including:

• Limiting Detention Duration: Introducing a 28-day cap on the detention of individuals with autism and learning disabilities in mental health settings, unless they have a concurrent mental health condition.
• Enhancing Care Plans: Mandating personalized care and treatment plans for each patient, outlining a clear path toward discharge.
• Restricting Inappropriate Detentions: Prohibiting the use of police and prison cells for detaining individuals experiencing severe mental health crises.
  The long-awaited Mental Health Bill represents a significant step toward reforming the UK’s mental health system, particularly concerning the use of ATUs, and is something that Dimensions welcome.

Success Stories

We’ve helped individuals like Maggie and Doreen transition from ATUs—even after decades—into homes where they now lead happy and independent lives.

Find Support

Learn how we help people transition from ATUs to independent living click the button below: