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Unprotected, overprotected: meeting the needs of young people with learning disabilities who experience, or are at risk of, sexual exploitation
- Authors:
- FRANKLIN Anita, RAWS Phil, SMEATON Emilie
- Publisher:
- Barnardo's
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 147
- Place of publication:
- Ilford
This exploratory research study aims to increase understanding of how to meet the needs of children and young people with learning disabilities who experience, or are at risk of, CSE. Specifically, the research undertook to: scope and detail current provision, including the scale of interventions for this group of children and young people; explore the views of practitioners, managers and local and national policymakers around practice, looking into both enablers of and barriers to good practice; understand the needs of this group of children and young people and gather their views on current practice; identify gaps in policy, provision, evidence and research; and generate evidence-based recommendations for future developments to meet these children and young people’s needs. The report reveals that significant numbers of children with learning disabilities are not being adequately protected from sexual exploitation because of the false perception that they do not need sex and relationships education or accessible information about how to keep safe online and in the community. The research also reveals that children with learning disabilities are not being adequately protected due to a worrying lack of specialist services and a failure to implement existing national and local policies. The report calls on the governments to ensure that accessible and relevant sex and relationship education is made available to children and young people with learning disabilities and highlights the need for more training for professionals and for services to work together to better prevent, identify and provide effective support for these children. Support for parents and raising awareness in the community is also crucial to making sure that children with learning disabilities are kept safe from sexual exploitation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Carer knowledge and experiences with menopause in women with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- WILLIS Diane S., WISHART Jennifer G., MUIR Walter J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 7(1), March 2010, pp.42-48.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Life expectancy for women with intellectual disabilities (ID) now significantly extended, but little is known about how carers support women with ID through menopause. This study examined carer knowledge of how menopause affects women with ID under their care and how they may help them to cope with it. Interviews were conducted with 69 carers (7 male, 62 female) from a range of backgrounds, all responsible for the care of one or more pre-, peri-, or post-menopausal women with ID. Findings showed that carers found difficulty in disentangling the psychological and physical consequences of the menopause from behaviours and symptoms arising from other causes. However, there was general recognition of the transitional importance of menopause and a widespread acknowledgment of the resilience that many women with ID show in coping with it. Carers emphasized the need for health resources to be better customized to the women's needs and for more relevant health education training for staff. The authors conclude that additional and new demands are placed on service provision as women with ID live longer, and that an increased awareness of health issues relating to menopause is needed.
Managers’ views of skilled support
- Authors:
- BRADSHAW Jill, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(5), 2018, pp.873-884.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has been found to primarily depend on whether staff are providing facilitative and enabling support that helps to compensate for severity of disability. Managers have a key role in facilitating staff to provide such support. Method: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 35 managers of supported accommodation services to explore service aims and the nature of, and challenges in providing, skilled support. Key themes were identified using a Thematic Networks Analysis. Results: Service aims were rarely formalised, were related to the individuals supported and not to the organisation. Managers found it difficult to define skilled support, other than by reference to individuals. Practice leadership roles were challenged as a result of austerity measures. Conclusions: Front‐line managers need more information and training in skilled support, with stronger leadership from senior management to provide the motivation and resources needed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ten years plus of Total Communication
- Author:
- MILLER Nigel
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 105, Winter 2012/13, pp.14-16.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
The Speech and Language team of the Hywel Dda Local Health Board in Wales worked with services users to develop a Total Communication Strategy which could be implemented across three counties (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire) in Wales. The strategy aims to improve communication for service users with learning disabilities and communication difficulties. It is now formally recognised as a policy and is provided across all third sector homes, residential homes and tenancies, and social services and health setting. The package, which is briefly described, consists of: Total Communication training; signing training; making information accessible training; and separate training to cover specialist communication needs of services users with profound and multiple disabilities. Within each location there is a designated Total Communication coordinator who takes the role of promoting communication. A website has also been developed for service users.