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What do Joint Strategic Needs Assessments tell us about people with learning disabilities in England?
- Authors:
- BAINES Susannah, HATTON Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 20(2), 2015, pp.92-96.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: A 2013 analysis of local authority Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs) showed that JSNAs were not routinely including information on the numbers and health needs of people with learning disabilities, particularly children. This paper compares the information included in 2013 and 2014 JSNAs. Design/methodology/approach: JSNAs for 141 local authorities in England were sought. Local authorities were contacted when JSNAs were not initially found online. All 137 JSNAs found were analysed for mentions and specific sections concerning people with learning disabilities, and content analysed concerning the specific information they contained. Findings: In total, 72 per cent of JSNAs mentioned people with learning disabilities (vs 82 per cent in 2013); 24 per cent mentioned children (vs 39 per cent in 2013) and 72 per cent mentioned adults (vs 81 per cent in 2013). Overall, 13 per cent of JSNAs included a section on children with learning disabilities (vs 9 per cent in 2013), 65 per cent included a section on adults (vs 48 per cent in 2013) and 11 per cent included a section on older adults (vs 8 per cent in the 2013). More JSNAs contained information on current and projected future populations, health needs, social context and service usage concerning adults with learning disabilities compared to children. There was large regional variation in all these indicators. Originality/value: Further work is needed for JSNAs to contain sufficient information on people with learning disabilities to allow for strategic planning, and for JSNAs to be accessible to the public. (Edited publisher abstract)