Why are these families being blocked from visiting their learning disabled children?

More than a hundred charities have called for “urgent” law change to protect the rights of vulnerable people in care to see their loved ones.

It comes as an ITV News investigation finds more families of people with learning disabilities are claiming their visiting rights were restricted after complaining about negligent care.

Last month the government promised to “crack down” on care companies implementing “blanket bans” and disproportionate restrictions on families visiting their loved ones in care homes and supported living.

But leading care charities have told ITV News that change is needed urgently, and argue that regulations the government are focused on - known in England as Regulation 9A - do not go far enough.

In an exclusive interview, Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said new guidance would be introduced to ensure that existing regulations upholding families' visiting rights are properly enforced.

He also revealed that the government was exploring the possibility of changing the law to prevent care companies from introducing visiting restrictions.

ITV News has been contacted by hundreds of families who say they have been restricted or banned by care companies and councils from seeing loved ones with learning disabilities, after complaining about the quality of care.

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