Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 12
Social care dental team
- Authors:
- KELLY Grace, ROGERS Gaynor
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 103, Summer 2012, pp.19-20.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
Some people have difficulty getting to the dentist because they use a wheelchair and have problems with transport. Others have medical problems that need special attention or have difficulty with communication. In 2008, Special Care Dentistry was established as a new specialty to make sure that disabled people have equal access to dental treatment that meets their needs. The Special Care Dentistry Service provides a dental service for people needing Special Care Dentistry. People who are disabled or have difficulty leaving home can phone to discuss treatment and possibly a home visit. The dental team has portable dental equipment which they take on a home visit. This article describes the Special Care Dental team and how it provides a full service for people with a learning disability.
All aboard
- Author:
- DARWENT Jenny
- Journal article citation:
- Viewpoint, 126, January 2012, pp.16-19.
- Publisher:
- Mencap/Gateway
Accessible transport is vital for people with a learning disability to live an independent life. Some of the challenges of getting out and about are discussed. Examples of good practice are also highlighted, including a travel mentoring service provided by Leeds Mencap.
Eligibility for statutory learning disability services in the north-west of England. Right or luxury? Findings from a pilot study
- Authors:
- MCINNIS Erica E., HILLS Alan, CHAPMAN Melanie J.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 40(3), September 2012, pp.177-186.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Community learning disability teams are facing increasing demands for their services. Access to these services in England is often governed by eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria can both define the intended client group for a specialised service and also provide a means of managing demand. This study arose from ongoing discussion around eligibility for services amongst the North West Regional Learning Disability Special Interest Group of clinical psychologists. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed about service eligibility criteria and psychologists’ role within the referral process to learning disability services. The questionnaire was distributed to a clinical psychologist in each community learning disability service in the region. A total of 16 completed questionnaires were returned. The survey findings highlighted both variations and similarities across the region in terms of definitions of learning disabilities, eligibility for accessing local services and the psychometric measures used to assess functioning. Differences in how services assess eligibility can lead to difficulties, for example when people move area. The use of standard eligibility criteria could be one means of overcoming this.
Housing for people with a learning disability
- Author:
- MENCAP
- Publisher:
- Mencap
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 50
- Place of publication:
- London
This report describes the current housing situation for people with a learning disability in England and Wales. It draws on the findings to two research projects to provide a picture of where people live now and what the future may look like for them in terms of their housing. It identifies the barriers to people living independently, from the way local authorities prioritise social housing to the lack of specialist housing for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. It also looks at the impact of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and suggests that the reforms will see greater numbers of people with a learning disability losing their independence. The report recommends the development of national strategy on housing for people with learning disability and for all local authorities to include specific plans for people with a learning disability in their housing strategy. The report aims to support decision-makers on issues relating to the provision of housing for people with a learning disability in England. (Original abstract)
Healthcare for men and women with learning disabilities: understanding inequalities in access
- Author:
- REDLEY Marcus
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 27(6), 2012, pp.747-759.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Healthcare for people with learning disabilities has risen up the political agenda in the United Kingdom. Mencap’s report ‘Death by Indifference’ followed by the Michaels’s report ‘Healthcare for All’ and the Ombudsman’s report ‘Six Lives’ have all raised concerns over the quality of healthcare received by people with learning disabilities. This has resulted in renewed efforts, set out in the Government’s strategy paper ‘Valuing People Now’, to ensure that people with learning disabilities receive the healthcare they are entitled to. This paper describes the challenges of providing healthcare to men and women with learning disabilities and reviews ‘Death by Indifference’ and the reports produced in its aftermath. It also presents findings from a small-scale study of access to healthcare undertaken in the East of England. Ten research participants were recruited from each of the following occupations: managers of residential accommodation; GPs; learning disability nurses; and care managers. In addition, 4 Vulnerable Patient Leads were recruited from 4 general hospitals. The research participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The findings show that access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities is crucially dependent upon support from family carers and professionals in health and social care. The paper concludes with a discussion of whether the policies in ‘Valuing People Now’ will improve healthcare for people with learning disabilities.
Dual diagnosis public policy in a federal system: the Canadian experience
- Authors:
- GOUGH Heather, MORRIS Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 9(3), September 2012, pp.166-174.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article defines dual diagnosis as having both mental health needs and developmental disabilities. Individuals with dual diagnosis can have significant problems accessing appropriate and integrated care. Regional or national public policy is necessary for establishing effective mental health services for these individuals. The aim of this research was to review provincial/territorial statutes and regulations related to developmental disabilities and mental health/illness within the context of Canadian federal and national policy. A legislative scan was performed, encompassing statutes and regulations, followed by a search of government ministerial Web sites to identify policy. In addition, relevant persons within ministries were contacted for clarification and further information. The findings indicate that no province or territory within Canada currently has legislation regarding dual diagnosis; 4 have policies addressing dual diagnosis care. Some policies exclude people with disabilities from qualifying as having a psychiatric disorder, and some policies exclude people with certain types of psychiatric disorders. The patchwork of regional legislation and policy in Canada suggests that dual diagnosis care would be better facilitated if rights to such were enshrined within legislation.
Effective responses to offenders with intellectual disabilities: generalist and specialist services working together
- Authors:
- ELLEM Kathy, WILSON Jill, CHUI Wing Hong
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 65(3), September 2012, pp.398-412.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The prison system can be particularly traumatising for people with intellectual disabilities, often involving victimisation, segregation, and isolation. Prevalence figures for prisoners with intellectual disabilities ranges from 2.6% to 39.6%. This paper reports on the life stories of 10 people with intellectual disabilities, who had been imprisoned in adult correctional facilities in Queensland. The life stories were gathered from a series of in-depth interviews conducted over a period of 12 months with ex-prisoners (7 men and 3 women) aged from 26-68 years at the time of the first interview. Supplementary data were also gathered from semistructured interviews with 6 practitioners from disability, mental health, and ex-prisoner services. The findings showed that the pathways taken by these 10 people into and out of prison were marked by significant abuse, neglect, and poverty. Significant disparity and disconnection was also displayed between the policies and service approaches, particularly between the disability, mental health, and correctional systems in Queensland. Based on these findings, a framework for practice, which spans both generic and specialist services, is suggested.
Statutory guidance for local authorities on services and activities to improve young people's well-being
- Authors:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department for Education, GREAT BRITAIN. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Education
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 3
- Place of publication:
- London
Statutory guidance for local authorities in England on their responsibilities to provide appropriate local youth services to improve young people’s well-being. The guidance covers the rationale and scope of the duty and relates to services and activities for young people aged 13 to 19, and those with learning difficulties to age 24. (Edited publisher abstract)
England and Northern Ireland policy and law update relating to mental health and intellectual disability
- Authors:
- CHAPLIN Eddie, TAGGART Laurence
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 6(3), 2012, pp.144-150.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Two years ago this journal presented overviews and perspectives from across the UK relating to mental health and intellectual disability. This article aims to bring readers up to date with policy developments and current issues in England and Northern Ireland. As well as looking at changes to policy and legislation, the paper highlights the differences and shared concerns for people with intellectual disability living in the two countries, for example access to equitable health care. The review found that, in spite of shared visions of inclusion and equality in mental health care, there are major differences in how the countries approach these issues. This has been emphasised by recent shifts in policy. In Northern Ireland strategies are being designed to inform the delivery of evidence based services for the future while in England there has also been a move towards public protection within mental health legislation and the reaffirmation of the need to for more individualised services. It is concluded that although there is a desire for change, the reality is that the policies and legislation introduced to address issues such as accessing mental health care and service standards have still to make a significant impact to people's daily lives.
Growing health disparities for persons who are aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities: the social work linchpin
- Authors:
- ROBINSON Laura M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(2), February 2012, pp.175-190.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Like the wider population, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are living longer; into their 70s and beyond. Health care disparities have been well-documented for this vulnerable and underserved population. The authors’ aim in this discussion was to draw attention to the limited presence of social workers in the IDD field, the lack of educational opportunities to support current and future social workers in this field and the impact of these trends on the health disparities experienced by people ageing with IDD. Social workers are often responsible for assessment, coordination of care, and negotiation of necessary and appropriate services for people with IDD. The authors explore the challenges facing social workers in meeting the growing health and social needs of aging adults with IDD and their families.