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Assessing the barriers to achieving genuine housing choice for adults with a learning disability: the views of family carers and professionals
- Authors:
- BOWEY Laura, McGLAUGHLIN Alex, SAUL Claire
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 35(1), January 2005, pp.139-148.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
It has been reported that the capability of adults with learning disability to choose housing is too often impeded by the views and actions of their family carers and involved professionals. This study further explores these apparent barriers to providing genuine housing choice for such people, discussing findings from a series of focus groups which explored family and professional views about housing and choice. They indicate that risk is a fundamental concern for professionals and families when considering more independent housing for this group. Although opportunities for choice were generally supported, many argued for the need to assess the ability to make informed decisions. There were also examples of problematic relationships between professionals and carers, creating a barrier to choice. Carers need involvement, information and support during the development of housing plans if the needs of the primary service users are to be met. The barriers identified have to be removed if users are to truly become the focus of decisions and be enabled to make genuine informed choices.
Adults with a learning disability living with elderly carers talk about planning for the future: aspirations and concerns
- Authors:
- BOWEY Laura, McGLAUGHLIN Alex
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 35(8), December 2005, pp.1377-1392.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The majority of adults with a learning disability live with family carers, many of whom are ageing and have support needs of their own. Planning for the future thus becomes the key to preventing a crisis situation when family care is no longer viable because of death or ill health. Existing knowledge and practice are largely based upon the perspective of professionals and carers. This study explores the views, aspirations and concerns of adults with a learning disability, about living at home and planning for the future. Findings show that participants were very aware of the need for alternative housing or support in the future and had clear preferences about their future options. However, they also showed extensive concern for their family carers and this often impacted on their willingness to plan for the future or to move to alternative housing. Their demonstrable awareness of the inevitable death or ill health of family carers, and willingness to engage with the implications, emphasize the importance of involving adults with a learning disability in planning for their future, as well as providing them with bereavement support.