Search results for ‘Subject term:"access to services"’ Sort:
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'Nobody ever chooses this ...': a qualitative study of service providers working in the sexual violence sector - key issues and challenges
- Authors:
- KELLEHER Caroline, McGILLOWAY Sinead
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 17(3), May 2009, pp.295-303.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper describes the findings from the first stage of a study designed to assess the impact of sexual violence (SV) on the lives of Irish women. Stakeholder interviews (n = 18) were undertaken to explore experiences of delivering services to people who have experienced SV, in rural and urban settings in Ireland. A range of themes and sub-themes were identified through a thematic analysis, and interrelationships between two of the main themes (barriers to services and current gaps in service provision) are discussed. Sub-themes include: survivor guilt and shame, difficulties in naming the incident as SV, problems with the Criminal Justice System and the availability of Sexual Assault Treatment Units. Participants identified an urgent need for a co-ordinated national strategy in the form of a public awareness and education campaign in order to undermine commonly held rape myths and stereotypes. The findings will be of interest to all health and social care professionals who are in contact with women who have experienced SV. They will also help to raise an awareness of the 'hidden' costs of SV, and inform appropriate policies and community-based responses to this important social problem.
Irish parents’ experiences of support and parenting support services: summary report
- Authors:
- HICKEY Grainne, LECKEY Yvonne
- Publisher:
- Ireland. Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- Dublin
Findings from a consultation with parents focusing on their experiences of support across a range of life stages. A qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews and focus groups was adopted in order to enable parents to tell their own stories and experiences. The consultation explored: Irish parents’ experiences of caring for their children and sources of support for parenting; their views in relation to their own support needs and their experience of seeking support as a parent; knowledge of and perspectives on using formal and existing support services; preferences and recommendations for receiving and accessing information and support services. Key challenges facing Irish parents today include feelings of uncertainty, balancing work and parenting, navigating family transitions, managing complex needs and coping with children’s educational, developmental and wellbeing needs. The majority of parents felt unsupported in their role as parent. In general, parents were unaware of services and supports in their area, and for those who sought support, a lack of parenting and family-oriented services was frequently highlighted. Parents also pointed to the fragmented nature of support, including the lack of a coordinated system of service provision across the life span. Among parents of children with additional needs, difficulties accessing timely and streamlined supports was a persistent challenge. Informal networks and peer-support were the most commonly reported sources of support. Most parents engaged in formal supports and services to learn new skills, gain knowledge, manage specific challenges and meet other parents. Numerous barriers to engaging with parenting supports were identified; these included limited availability of accessible services and competing demands on parents' time and daily responsibilities. Perceptions of stigma and fears of judgement were also evident and posed a significant impediment to participation, particularly for more vulnerable and marginalised families. Importantly, gender, social and cultural factors were also found to influence engagement in parenting supports. (Edited publisher abstract)
A case for a health promotion framework: the psychosocial experiences of female, migrant sex workers in Ireland
- Authors:
- SWEENEY Leigh-Ann, FITZGERALD Sharron
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care, 13(4), 2017, pp.419-431.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the barriers preventing women in prostitution from accessing co-ordinated health services in the Republic of Ireland. By examining the experiences of migrant women engaged in prostitution, the research contributes to knowledge pertaining to the psychosocial experiences of female sex workers’ access to healthcare. Design/methodology/approach: The study interviewed migrant women across Ireland, using a biographical narrative approach and an adapted voice-centred relational model of analysis to determine the necessity for a health promotion strategy for this demographic. Findings: The findings indicate migrant women work primarily indoors, hold precarious legal status and are in Ireland due to processes of globalisation, migration and economic necessity. The women discussed their entry into prostitution and their experiences within prostitution in the context of their psychosocial experiences. Research limitations/implications: While the findings are from a small qualitative sample confined to the Republic of Ireland, it is the first study to prioritise migrant sex workers’ psychosocial experiences in Ireland. Practical implications: The research concludes education and service development that respects the various social determinants impacting women in prostitution is missing but remains necessary in Ireland. It finds a gendered reform of policies using an ecological framework for health that can address issues of poverty, migration and the global trends of the sex industry. (Edited publisher abstract)
Geographical barriers to mental health service care among individuals with an intellectual disability in the Republic of Ireland
- Authors:
- RAMSAY Hugh, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(4), 2016, pp.261-268.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with an intellectual disability (ID) are more likely to experience mental health difficulties than others. The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) states that health services should be provided close to people's own communities. This article examines differences in access to psychiatry services for those with an ID according to geography, in the context of a small European country (Republic of Ireland). The sample consisted of 753 individuals aged 40 and over with ID in the Republic of Ireland, with data collected from the Intellectual Disability Supplement of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (IDS-TILDA). The primary outcome of interest was attendance with any psychiatrist and the primary independent variables were area of residence (health service region and degree of county urbanicity). Logistic regression was used to analyse associations, unadjusted and then controlling for age group, gender and level of ID. Secondary analysis examined factors associated with anti-psychotic prescription without psychiatrist supervision. Treatment by a psychiatrist was associated with both health region (p = 0.029) and degree of urbanicity (p = 0.015) before controlling for group differences but only the health region was significantly associated after controlling for age, gender and level of ID. Antipsychotic use without a psychiatrist was associated with degree of urbanicity (p = 0.036) but not with health service region (p = 0.989). Geographic factors are associated with access to mental health services among those with ID in the Republic of Ireland. This may be partly due to movement of people with ID away from their area of origin, highlighting the need for locally tailored specialist ID mental health teams and for further research into barriers to treatment. Additional work in other countries will further understanding of similar roles of geographic factors in mediating mental health services access. (Edited publisher abstract)
Job coaching and success in gaining and sustaining employment among homeless people
- Authors:
- HOVEN Hanno, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 26(6), 2016, pp.668-674.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Objective: People who are homeless experience many barriers that affect their ability to gain and sustain work. In this study, the authors investigate whether personal job coaching support contributes toward employment success. Methods: The short- and long-term employment outcomes of 2,480 clients participating in a labour market programme were analysed. Results: Clients being supported by a job coach have significantly higher chances of gaining employment than those not being supported. This holds particularly true for the youngest age-group. Furthermore, results also indicate that job coaching improves clients’ chances of successfully sustaining employment. Conclusions: Personal approaches and individual coaching seem to be promising strategies in social work practice and specifically in return to work programmes for people who have experienced homelessness. (Edited publisher abstract)
Quality of life: a survey of parents of children/adults with an intellectual disability who are availing of respite care
- Authors:
- CAPLES Maria, SWEENEY John
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(1), March 2011, pp.64-72.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Some two-thirds of the people registered on the Irish National Intellectual Disability Database live at home, with family members providing support. Use of respite care services by parents with a child/adult with an intellectual disability (ID) is growing in the context of social policy initiatives for greater social inclusion of people with disabilities. Parents often require assistance in this caring role, needing to be supported with reliable, flexible and responsive services. Parents often have to negotiate complex barriers to access support services such as respite, health or social care. This article draws on a recent Irish study that investigated the quality of life of 49 parents of people with an intellectual disability and who are using respite care. In general, results indicated that parents were experiencing good to excellent quality of life. However, demand exceeded supply, with many parents facing a lengthy wait gaining access to respite care. However, more research needs to be undertaken out to establish what services are deemed most valuable to parents.
Traveller health and primary care in Ireland: a consultative forum
- Author:
- VAN HOUT Marie Claire
- Journal article citation:
- Community Practitioner, 83(5), May 2010, pp.27-30.
- Publisher:
- Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association
Reporting on a pilot study exploring factors that affect Traveller health and experiences of primary care services from the perspectives of key Traveller health stakeholders in Ireland, this article describes a pilot consultative forum for the identification of guidelines for a Traveller primary care service framework in Ireland. A focus group was conducted with Traveller health unit stakeholders, including some Travellers, with transcription and content and thematic analysis of the discussion. The stakeholders highlighted key themes for the development of an effective Traveller primary care service framework: establishment of an analysis of local Traveller needs, improved health data records and tracking of Travellers, active partnerships and consultative forums between Travellers and primary care staff, development of bridging initiatives to raise Travellers' awareness of primary care services, inclusion of services targeted to emerging Traveller health needs, and cultural and racism awareness training for primary care staff.
Making older people equal: reforming the law on access to services in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- GLENNON Lisa, DICKSON Brice
- Publisher:
- Changing Ageing Partnership
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 93p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This research examined the law in other countries to see how they protect people against discrimination on the grounds of age when accessing goods, facilities or services. The aim was to see if similar laws should be implemented in Northern Ireland. Chapter 1 explains the legal, social and political background to the research project, including developments in England and Wales and at the level of the European Union. Chapter 2 sets out the findings that emerged from the research, based on a study of the laws operating in the four countries examined in detail (Republic of Ireland, Canada, the United States of America, and Australia). Chapter 3 provides a brief summary of the recommendations based on the research findings. The report concludes that there is a very strong case for amending the law of Northern Ireland so as to outlaw discrimination on age grounds when people are accessing goods, facilities or services. Appendices are included which provide an overview of the law in the four countries studied and details of the scope of protection provided.
Neo-coporatist governance of homeless services in Dublin: reconceptualization, incorporation and exclusion
- Authors:
- PHELAN Elaine, NORRIS Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Critical Social Policy, 28(1), February 2008, pp.51-73.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article examines neo-corporatist arrangements for governance of homeless services in Dublin, which are modelled on parallel arrangements for the negotiation of economic and social policy nationally. It reveals that these two policy making structures have achieved similar outcomes - policies which are neo-liberal in orientation, but not entirely so. Achieving the aims of this unusual marriage of corporatism and neo-liberalism necessitated the redefinition of the causes of and solutions to homelessness from the structuralist to the individualist and the incorporation of formerly independent third sector service providers into the influence of the state. This process has been opposed by some third sector groups but supported by others who see opportunities in these reforms for their organizations. The outcomes of this process have been largely positive - levels of homelessness have fallen for instance - but not entirely so. Lack of attention to tackling the structural causes of homelessness has led to under provision of long-term accommodation for homeless people, while overemphasis on its individual causes and consequently on controlling the behaviour of service users has excluded some `challenging' clients from access to services.
Stuff you think you can handle as a parent and stuff you can’t’. Understanding parental health-seeking behaviour when accessing unscheduled care: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- CONLON Ciara, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health Expectations, 24(5), 2021, pp.1649-1659. Online only
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Unscheduled health care constitutes a significant proportion of health-care utilization. Parental decision making when accessing unscheduled care for their children is multifaceted and must be better understood to inform policy and practice. Design: Nineteen semi-structured interviews and one focus group (n = 4) with parents of children younger than twelve in Ireland were conducted. Participants had accessed unscheduled care for their children in the past. Data were thematically analysed. Results: Parents accessed unscheduled care for their children after reaching capacity to manage the child's health themselves. This was informed by factors such as parental experience, perceived urgency and need for reassurance. Parents considered the necessity to access care and situated their health-seeking behaviour within a framework of ‘appropriateness’. Where parents sought unscheduled care was largely determined by timely access, and inability to secure a general practitioner (GP) appointment often led parents to access other services. Parents expressed a need for more support in navigating unscheduled care options. Conclusions: Better resources to educate and support parents are required, and structural issues, such as accessibility to GPs, need to be addressed to enable parents to better navigate the unscheduled health system and manage their children's health. The discourse around ‘appropriate’ and ‘inappropriate’ access to health care has permeated parental decision making when accessing unscheduled health care for their children. What constitutes appropriate access should be examined, and a shift away from this framing of health-seeking behaviour may be warranted. Patient or Public Contribution: There was no explicit patient or public involvement. All authors hold experience as users of the health system. (Edited publisher abstract)