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Independence and learning disabilities: why we must also recognise vulnerability
- Author:
- FYSON Rachel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 11(3), August 2009, pp.18-25.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Services for adults with learning disabilities are currently based on the promotion of four key principles: rights, independence, choice and social inclusion. The author argues that these principles are not a sufficient basis for developing balanced services and that there is a need for reappraisal of current approaches and a recognition that the promotion of independence needs to be balanced carefully against the duty of statutory services to ensure that vulnerable adults are adequately protected from abuse. It looks at difficulties including the pressure to promote independence because of potential cost savings, inequality of outcomes for service users and increased vulnerability to abuse, citing studies demonstrating how people with learning disabilities are subject to higher levels of abuse and bullying than other people and recent cases of abuse, and discussing the importance of safeguarding vulnerable adults.
Which way for partnership boards?
- Author:
- FYSON Rachel
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 9(4), June 2009, pp.34-36.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Learning Disability Partnership Boards were established to provide oversight of the change necessary to ensure that the Valuing People objectives were met. This article reports on research carried out by Mencap to provide evidence regarding the role and effectiveness of the Partnership Boards. The key findings were that many people with learning disabilities still felt that not enough was being done to enable and support their involvement in Partnership Boards. Findings relating to inclusion, democratic processes, evaluation, impact on local service planning and barriers to change are discussed. The article concludes with recommendations to secure a positive future for Partnership boards.
Independence and learning disabilities: why we must also recognise vulnerability
- Author:
- FYSON Rachel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 17(1), February 2009, pp.3-8.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Services for adults with learning disabilities are currently based on the promotion of four key principles: rights, independence, choice and social inclusion. This paper will argue that, while these principles are welcome, they need to be balanced against a fifth principle - that vulnerable adults must be protected adequately against the risk of abuse. It will draw both on recent high-profile cases of violence and abuse against people with learning disabilities and on research evidence to explore whether current plans to transform adult social care through the use of self-directed support and individual budgets offer a safe future.