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Changes in the provision of residential care for adults with an intellectual disability: a national longitudinal study
- Authors:
- KELLY Fionnola, McCONKEY Roy
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 17(1), 2012, pp.4-10.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The Republic of Ireland has a National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD) of persons with an intellectual disability, which is updated annually. It records people living in various forms of residential provision as well as those living with family carers. This study used NIDD data to explore changes in provision of residential care from 1999 to 2009 for nearly 8,000 adults with intellectual disability in Ireland living in congregated or community-based accommodation. The analysis found that the largest area of growth over the ten-year period was in the provision of community group homes, with just under 50% of people living in community settings by 2009. There was a reduction in the number of places in congregated options, but more people were living in new forms of congregated provision designated specialist units. The article points out that a move from congregated living arrangements to more homely, community-based accommodation is a policy objective in many developed countries, and asserts that outmoded models of residential provision are likely to persist unless there is sustained investment in new forms of provision.
Inequalities in respite service provision: insights from a national, longitudinal study of people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23(1), January 2010, pp.85-94.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using data from a national database in Ireland of around 16,000 people with learning disabilities living with family carers, the availability of overnight respite provision was monitored over an 8-year period along with the recorded needs for such services. Despite marked rises in the number of people receiving respite breaks resulting from increased government funding, there were marked inequalities in the availability of provision across the country. In recent years the inequalities decreased but still remained. The proportion of families requiring breaks also rose and a similar pattern of inequalities were found here too. This study highlighted some of the complexities in reducing inequalities in the provision of respite services and in identifying the need for them. It would be advantageous to develop more explicit criteria regarding the need for respite provision and to record the family's preferences for the form this provision might take. These adjustments would add to the value of any national database as a service planning tool.
Holiday breaks for adults with intellectual disabilities living with older carers
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, McCULLOUGH Joanne
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 6(1), April 2006, pp.65-79.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The evaluation of a project instigated by a voluntary group provided an opportunity to investigate the benefits of holiday breaks to both carers and participants. Feedback was obtained from over 100 people with intellectual disabilities through individual and group interviews, as well as from their carers using self-completed questionnaires. Overall, the breaks were thoroughly enjoyed by the project members, providing them with a range of activities and leisure pursuits in the company of their friends and, on certain breaks, with non-disabled people as well. Carers reported more benefits to their relative in the later years of the project and became more willing for their relative to attend. Three main issues are discussed: the use of mainstream settings and services, rather than specialist facilities, to provide short breaks; how best to encourage other carers of people with more significant needs to avail themselves of these opportunities; and ways of improving the social and leisure networks of people living with families so that the benefits of the ‘holiday’ experience could be recreated more locally and more frequently.
Adult family placement schemes for older carers: perceptions of users, family carers, placement providers and social workers
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Publisher:
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 55p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report culminates from research undertaken into the feasibility of adult placement schemes in meeting the needs of older carers and their relatives with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland. This research was funded in part by a grant from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, as part of the GOLD (Growing Older with Learning Disabilities) Programme.
Family carers of adult persons with intellectual disabilities on the island of Ireland
- Authors:
- BARRON Steve, McCONKEY Roy, MULVANY Fiona
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(2), June 2006, pp.87-94.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Many families provide lifelong support to their relative with an intellectual disability. However, relatively little information is available for national populations on the characteristics of the people for whom these families care and the supports they receive or need. A database of all persons in receipt of intellectual disability services has been operating in the Republic of Ireland since 1995 and records details of those living with family carers. In Northern Ireland, regional databases provide similar information. Using both sources, data were obtained on over 12,500 people living with family carers; half of whom lived with two parents, around 30% with a lone parent, and just under 20% with another relative. More people in Northern Ireland were identified as living with family carers, which was attributed mainly to less available residential alternatives. Only a minority of carers received respite breaks and domiciliary supports although higher proportions required them. The authors conclude that family care arrangements have received relatively little attention within government policy making, and hence service provision has been largely reactive. Future research should focus on the changing needs of carers over time and how they can be better supported in their role.
Changes in the provision of day services in Ireland to adult persons with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(1), 2019, pp.13-20.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Internationally, changes are advocated in the support available to persons with intellectual disability. Socially inclusive personalized arrangements are intended to replace congregated and segregated day services. The study examines the changes in the provision of day services within Ireland over a 5‐year period when new policies were being promoted but at time of economic stringencies. Secondary analysis was carried out on data extracted from the National Intellectual Disability Database on all persons aged 18 years and above in 2009 and 2014 who received day services, which were grouped into four main types: care centers, sheltered workshops, employment schemes, and vocational training. Participants in each type of service were profiled by age, level of disability, and living arrangements. Variations in the provision of these services across nine regions were also examined. In 2009, 59% of persons attended care centers, but the proportion had increased in 2014 to 69%. There were reductions in the numbers attending sheltered workshops (down from 23 to 16%) and those receiving employment supports (down from 13 to 11%). By 2014, variations in the numbers attending care centers were evident across the country. The increase in care provision does not accord with national or international policies. Rather, it may reflect ineffective policy implementation strategies and financial cutbacks which services experienced during this period. This study illustrates the value of a national dataset for monitoring policy implementation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Change over 12 years in residential provision for adult persons with intellectual disabilities in Ireland
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, GRAIG Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 23(1), 2018, pp.1-7.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to document the impact of major policy changes and reductions in government funding on residential provision for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach: Ireland is unique in having a national database of people in receipt of services from specialist ID providers. Information on persons in residential settings from 2005 to 2016 was examined in terms of changes in the types of provision over time and broken down by age groups. Findings: From 2011 onwards, cuts in government funding coincided with a continuing reduction in the overall provision of residential accommodation for adults with ID. There was a parallel increase in the number of people living with family carers, especially persons aged 55 years and over. The greatest reduction was in residential centres which was in line with recent policy but this was not matched by an increase in alternative options, with fewer people aged 20-34 living in residential accommodation of any kind. Compared to Great Britain, Ireland has proportionately more residential places with fewer people living independently. Social implications: More Irish families have to continue caring for their adult relatives into their old age. Likewise, those resident in group homes and living independently are growing older which means there is an increased likelihood they will require additional support. Originality/value: This national data set is a valuable tool for monitoring changes in service provision over time and for determining the impact of government policy and funding decisions. (Publisher abstract)