Followers or leaders? What is the role for social care practitioners in annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities?

Authors:
MANTHORPE Jill, MARTINEAU Steven
Journal article citation:
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 14(1), March 2010, pp.56-66.
Publisher:
Sage
Place of publication:
London

English government policy promotes health checks for adults with learning disabilities based on the need to address lack of access to healthcare services and poor health outcomes for this group of citizens. This paper highlights the findings of a scoping review of the literature carried out in 2009 to examine the implications of a national system of health checks for the work of practitioners in social care services. The review found little in the research literature relevant to social care practice and concluded that there is a need to consider the possible roles of social care staff in initiating health checks. The reviews also suggested the possible involvement of social care staff in decision making around issues of consent, social care practice in recording and implementing the recommendations of such checks. Finally, the review suggested that staff should consider their possible roles as escorts, chaperones and supporters with communications, and that the presence of regulatory scrutiny of their participation in this activity was required.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, screening, social care staff, social worker-service user relationships, access to services, adults, health care;
Content type:
research review
Location(s):
England
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1744-6309
ISSN print:
1744-6295

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