STOMP: Stopping the Overmedication of People

Less medication. More understanding. Better lives.

At Achieve together, we’re committed to the STOMP (Stopping the Overmedication of People with a learning disability, autism or both) campaign – reducing the overuse of psychotropic medication for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Instead of masking distress, we focus on understanding it – through person-led support, specialist training, and proactive partnerships with local health teams.

STOMP: Making medication the last, not first, resort

STOMP is a national NHS campaign we proudly support. Too often, people are prescribed psychotropic medication to manage behaviour – even without a diagnosed mental health condition.

We believe in changing that.

STOMP aims to:

  • Reduce inappropriate use of medication
  • Promote alternative approaches
  • Empower people and their families to understand their choices
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We look beyond the behaviour

At Achieve together, we’re actively working to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the use of unnecessary psychotropic medicines. Here’s how:

  • We invest in a highly skilled Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Practitioner, and Nursing Team to guide on proactive strategies to alternatives to medication
  • We collaborate with GPs, psychiatrists and pharmacists
  • We use Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) instead of quick fixes
  • We invest in trauma-informed training for our teams
  • We focus on inclusive communication and social prescribing
  • We support family involvement and advocacy

Our goal is to understand the cause of distress, not suppress it.

Leading the way with evidence-backed change

We don’t just follow STOMP – we help shape its future.

Achieve together are actively involved in academic research projects with university partners to explore effective ways of reducing medication use. Our work helps inform national policy and influence care standards.

Current focus areas include:

  • Ensuring support teams receive training focused on alternatives to medication
  • Alternatives to medication
  • Behavioural support outcomes
  • Best practices in communication and engagement
  • Working in partnership with families and clinicians

STOMP is a team effort

Families, professionals and people we support are at the heart of our STOMP success. Together, we:

  • Advocate for effective, regular medication reviews
  • Empower people to understand their rights
  • Ensure information is accessible to people
  • Create proactive support plans based on lived experience
  • Offer ongoing coaching and training to supporting teams

“I didn’t know we had options – Achieve together helped us find another way.” – Parent of person supported

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Life after STOMP: A different kind of progress

In every home, we’ve seen how reducing medication can mean:

  • More energy and engagement
  • Better communication
  • More independence
  • Fewer side effects
  • A greater sense of identity and control

“Since my medication was reduced, I feel like myself again.” – Person we support

Join us in making overmedication a thing of the past

Whether you're a commissioner, family member or healthcare professional — we’re ready to work with you to deliver safe, person-centred, medication-aware support.