What the CQC’s Mental Health Act Review Means for People with Complex Needs – A Perspective from Seven Care Services
Posted on 9th April 2025
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has recently published its latest Mental Health Act (MHA) Review, shedding light on the state of mental health services across England—and raising some important concerns that we, at Seven Care Services, feel compelled to speak about.
The report highlights persistent issues around inequality, poor access to appropriate care, and a lack of truly person-centred planning—particularly for people with autism, learning disabilities, and complex mental health needs. For us, this is not just a regulatory concern; it's a human one.
At Seven Care Services, we work every day with individuals who have often been misunderstood, overly medicalised, or unnecessarily detained under the Mental Health Act. The CQC rightly calls for a shift in approach: away from restrictive practices, and toward rights-based, community-driven support—something we are already deeply committed to.
“The Mental Health Act must never be used as a shortcut to manage people with complex needs,” says Angelique Ashby, our Clinical Lead and a dual-registered nurse with a Master’s degree in Best Interests Decision-Making.
“Too often, people are detained or restrained simply because services lack the skills or confidence to offer alternatives. At Seven Care Services, we prioritise a rights-based approach—one that respects autonomy, dignity, and the voice of the individual, even when they face profound communication or behavioural challenges.”
Our approach is deeply rooted in the Mental Capacity Act, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), and trauma-informed care. We support individuals in their own homes or in our supported living settings, providing 1:1 or 2:1 care, often around the clock. Every person we support has a bespoke care plan developed with their multidisciplinary team, family, and advocates—ensuring that their rights and preferences are at the centre of every decision.
Our CEO, Jeb Singh, who previously worked as a commissioning manager for the NHS and a CQC inspector, adds:
“Having seen first-hand the overuse of the Mental Health Act, I knew we had to create a model of care that offered something different. At Seven Care Services, we aim to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions by supporting people safely and compassionately in the community.”
Taking Action Beyond the Review
At Seven Care Services, we echo the CQC’s recommendations and are taking the following steps:
Providing community-based care as an alternative to hospital or inpatient settings
Embedding best interests decision-making into all complex care planning
Actively reducing the use of restrictive practices, including restraint and seclusion
Ensuring staff are trained in trauma-informed approaches, autism-specific support, and safeguarding legislation
Involving families and advocates in every step of the care journey
If you're a commissioner, clinician, or family member looking for high-quality, rights-based support for someone with complex needs, we'd love to speak with you.
Contact Seven Care Services to learn more about our supported living and specialist care pathways across Coventry, Warwickshire, and the Midlands.
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