The Challenging Behaviour Foundation

05/06/2026

Harm caused by Restrictive Practices

The misuse of restrictive interventions is associated with the risk of physical and psychological harm. A co-produced study by the CBF and Positive & Active Behaviour Support Scotland (PABSS) found that 86.5% of respondents reported physical injury to their child during restrictive intervention.

Restrictive interventions are intrinsically unsafe. There is an urgent need to recognise that the misuse of restrictive practices is a child protection issue.

Governments across the UK must take steps to implement safeguards to protect children and young people with learning disability from harm caused by the inappropriate use of restrictive practices.

You can read more in more detail the harm caused by restrictive practices in our joint statement on the use of restrictive interventions, published at the beginning of this year: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Restrictive-Interventions-Statement-1.pdf

05/06/2026

Yesterday, the CBF (Jacqui Shurlock and Becky Wetherly) attended the Homes not Hospitals conference, hosted by Mencap and co-chaired by Viv Cooper (CBF founder and family carer), Jodie Williams (Learning Disability England Trustee) and Sir David Pearson.

It was good to see so many family carers from the Homes not Hospitals campaign group and to have another viewing of the co-produced exhibition.

Despite the shared anger, sorrow and frustration at the lack of progress 15 years since Winterbourne View, there was real determination in the room to redouble our efforts to make change happen. This was inspired by the messages from families, by the colleagues who are delivering services designed around the person in partnership with families, by colleagues who are reducing admissions through good local support, by those who are using funding in innovative ways to create good housing and by the commitment to continued support from Jen Craft MP.

The day finished with commitments to action. The most vital action for government is to ensure the local work showcased yesterday is scaled and replicated across the country.

04/06/2026

This , we are taking the time to thank our amazing trustees, who volunteer their time to support the CBF.

Our Trustees play a vital role in the smooth running of the charity. Bringing a broad range of expertise from both professional and lived experience, they provide valuable insight and guidance across key areas, including fundraising applications, strategic planning, annual reporting, and more.

Alongside their commitment to the CBF, our Trustees balance busy day jobs and supporting relatives, yet still generously give their time to support the governance of the charity and often spend their Saturday mornings at Trustee meetings.

Their guidance ensures the CBF can effectively work towards a future where families of people with severe learning disabilities and behaviour that may be described as challenging can receive the right support at the right time.

You can find out more about our trustees on our new trustee's webpage here:

Making a difference to the lives of people with severe learning disabilities

03/06/2026

It's , and we want to celebrate and thank the incredible individuals who volunteer with us at the CBF!

From our Facebook group moderators, and podcast participants, to those contributing their time to the Challenging Behaviour-National Strategy Group, Protecting Rights; Eliminating Restraint Group and the Campaign Families Group, your dedication makes a real difference.

Many of our volunteers also bring lived experience as family carers, helping us improve the lives of children, young people and adults with severe learning disabilities and behaviour that may be described as challenging.

Without your help we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Thank you to each and every one of you.

02/06/2026

The UK Supreme Court has today overturned the 2014 decision, known as ‘Cheshire West’, that someone is deprived of their liberty if they are under continuous supervision and not free to leave. This judgement takes immediate effect and overrules existing deprivation of liberty (DoLs) guidance. In practice, families may see existing DoLs checks and inspections cancelled and there will be a lack of clarity for a while, as we wait for revised guidance to be published. We will provide updates on this situation as soon as they are available.

You can read our full statement here:

This judgement takes immediate effect and overrules existing deprivation of liberty safeguard (DoLs) guidance. In practice, families may see existing DoLs checks and inspections cancelled and there…

02/06/2026

A huge congratulations to Holly Young who ran the Macknade 10K on Sunday. She has raised an amazing £430 for the CBF!

There's still time to donate, if you would like to show Holly your support, you can follow the link to her Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/holly-young-2

Thank you Holly!

01/06/2026

We have two new paid internship opportunities at the Challenging Behaviour Foundation!

We are recruiting a Projects & Events Intern and a Policy & Research Intern to join our team this year.

Our internship programme has been running for over a decade, offering valuable experience to those passionate about making a difference. Interns play a crucial role in shaping positive change on behalf of people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges and their families at the CBF.

Join our friendly and dedicated team and use your talent, skills, and knowledge to contribute to meaningful change. This is a rewarding opportunity to grow professionally while improving the lives of people with severe learning disabilities and their families. Ideal candidates will have a passion for addressing inequalities and possess strong communication and organisational skills.

Deadline: Rolling application process, we recommend applying by 9am on Monday 8th June for interviews on Monday 15th (Policy & Research) and Friday 19th June (Projects & Events).

Find out more about each role and how to apply here:

https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/paid-internships/

01/06/2026

When figuring out the reason why a person is displaying challenging behaviour, it is vital to consider health problems. Children and adults with learning disabilities are more likely to have health problems than the general population. If an individual is in pain, they are more likely to display challenging behaviour.

Our Health and Challenging Behaviour information sheet details some of the reasons why people with learning disabilities are more likely to experience health problems, how health problems can contribute to challenging behaviour, and provides family carers with tools to help support a loved one with a severe learning disability to stay healthy.

Explore the resource here: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/information-and-guidance/health/health-and-challenging-behaviour/

29/05/2026

31st May 2026 marks 15 years since Panorama exposed the abuse of people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View Hospital and shone a light on the wider practice of detaining people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Our thoughts are with all those who were at Winterbourne View, their families, and the 2,105 people with learning disabilities and autistic people currently inappropriately detained in hospital, including 200 children.

In the 15 years since Panorama aired, too little has changed. Each missed target and broken promise has impacted every individual inappropriately detained; denying them their freedom, time with their loved ones, and their basic human rights. The Government must prioritise hearing from people with lived experience to develop the “roadmap for community support” promised by Minister Kinnock last year. Without skilled support in the community, dedicated to upholding human rights and ensuring good lives, nothing substantial will change.

Five years ago, family carers whose relatives experienced inappropriate detention wrote a report called Tea, Smiles and Empty Promises. Their urgent call to action then is even more vital now: “At the core of this are our loved ones – who have experienced a lifetime of stigma, and the worst side of ‘care’. For our family members, and all others whose lives have been affected, destroyed by or lost to the system – the time is now.”

You can read our full statement on our website:

Please be aware that some of the content of this statement may be upsetting. If you are a family carer and have been affected by any of the issues raised in this statement, please contact the CBF’s…

28/05/2026

“How can you not love an intervention that puts the parent and child at the centre?” clinician

Specialist mental health services are under strain. The Video Interaction Guidance- Learning Disability study wanted to find out if parents liked VIG and found it helpful and if remote therapy could help services offer support to more families.

Find out about the results of the study here: