Learning Disability Service
STOMP
The national STOMP agenda takes its name from its core objective of stopping excessive use of psychotropic medicines to manage challenging behaviour in people with Learning Disability and/or Autism.
STOMP
The national STOMP agenda takes its name from its core objective of stopping excessive use of psychotropic medicines to manage challenging behaviour in people with a Learning Disability and/or Autism.
STOMP stands for stopping over medication of people with learning disability, autism or both with psychotropic medicines. It is a national project involving many different organisations which are helping to stop the over use of these medicines. STOMP is about helping people to stay well and have a good quality of life.
Psychotropic medicines affect how the brain works and include medicines for psychosis, depression, anxiety, sleep problems and epilepsy. Sometimes they are also given to people because their behaviour is seen as challenging.
People with a learning disability, autism or both are more likely to be given these medicines than other people.
These medicines are right for some people. They can help people stay safe and well. Sometimes there are other ways of helping people, so they need less medicine or none at all.
Who is this page for?
This webpage is for healthcare professionals, families or carers supporting people aged 19 or over who have a Learning Disability and conditions such as Autism to access information about STOMP in various languages. This is to increase the awareness of STOMP across all communities living in Birmingham.
STOMP is a national strategy designed to stop the overmedication of people with a Learning Disability, Autism or both. It was initiated by NHS England in 2015 because of concerns that some people were being overmedicated.
Medications should be given for the right reasons and in the right amounts.
People with a Learning disability, Autism or both are more likely to be given psychotropic medicines, which affect how the brain works and include treatments for psychosis, depression, anxiety, sleep problems and epilepsy. Sometimes they are also given to people because their behaviour is seen as challenging.
Psychotropic medicines can cause problems when people take them for too long, take too high a dose, or take them for the wrong reason. This can cause various side effects such as weight gain, feeling tired or ‘drugged up’ and serious physical health issues.
The STOMP campaign promotes alternative ways to support health, wellbeing and safety through a person-centred approach agreed with the individual, their family, carers and doctor, which is regularly reviewed over time.
Plain English summary for STOMP and link for easy read leaflet:
Our pledge to the STOMP campaign:
We pledge to ensure that children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both are able to access appropriate medication (in line with NICE guidance,) but are not prescribed inappropriate psychotropic medication. Regular and timely reviews should be undertaken so that the effectiveness of the medication is evident and balanced against potential side effects. This will mean that children and young people are only getting the right medication, at the right time, for the right reason.
We pledge to work together with children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both and their parents, carers and families, to take measurable steps to ensure that children and young people only receive medication that effectively improves their lives.
We pledge to set out the actions that our individual organisations will take towards this shared aim and report regularly on the progress we have made, ensuring that we can be held to account.
STAMP
Stamp is Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics - more information about STAMP can be found on the NHS England website.
Useful resources
NHS England - resources for professionals
Multicultural STOMP presentation
- NHS England STOMP and STAMP leaflet:
Behaviours of concern – understanding and good support
- The Challenging Behaviour Foundation - What is Challenging Behaviour?
- Mencap - Meeting the Challenge Guide 2
Active Support