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Living in fear: better outcomes for people with learning disabilities and autism. Main research report
- Authors:
- BEADLE-BROWN Julie, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Kent. Tizard Centre
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 185
- Place of publication:
- Canterbury
Reports on the findings of a three-year research project to investigate incidents of disability hate crime experienced by people with autism and learning disabilities in Medway, Kent. The research was carried out by Autism London, MCCH, Kent Police and the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent. The study included a review of calls to the National Autistic Society and Autism London helplines; focus groups with people with learning disabilities and autism (n=31) and with family and paid carers (n=33); responses to a survey exploring the victimisation experiences of people with learning disabilities and autism (n=255); and in-depth interviews (n=27); and focus groups with the police to identify the difficulties they experience in responding to hate crime. Results found that at least one third of people involved in the research Medway had experienced some form of victimisation as adults. Types of hate crime varied and included physical attacks, threats, verbal abuse and damage to property. Key findings from focus groups with the police identified: lack of a clear definition of disability hate crime, a low level of individual police officers’ knowledge and experience of disability; and lack of a systematic method of establishing whether people reporting victimisation are vulnerable. The report calls for more specialist victim support, counselling and therapies for victims with autism and learning disabilities. It also identifies a need for better and more effective ways for victims to report incidents. Recommendations are made for National and Local implementation. The report also provides some examples of good practice in dealing with situations of victimisation or hate crime. (Edited publisher abstract)
Defining and measuring rapport: implications for supporting people with complex needs
- Authors:
- GUTHRIE Kamisha Sherene, BEADLE-BROWN Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 11(3), July 2006, pp.21-30.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This research aimed to identify behavioural cues of rapport and warmth, in order to enable the construction of a valid measurement tool that would support existing methods of behavioural analysis. A number of general research questions were put to six focus groups. Participants were individuals with learning disabilities, professionals working for the NHS or a local authority, and support workers. Data obtained was qualitative in nature and was examined using content analysis and comparison between participants' experiences. Methods of interaction and communication with people who were either liked or disliked were generally similar across groups, although this varied by specific category. Behavioural cues of rapport were identified and categorised. Most of these would be of use in the creation of an assessment tool, although some adjustment is required so that they can be measured. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Too far to go: out-of-area placements of people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- BEADLE-BROWN Julie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 11(1), February 2006, pp.24-34.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This mainly exploratory study was a one-point-in-time survey of the situation of one English county. The study involved a survey of all social care homes in the country, followed by measures of quality of life/service for a random sample of 30 people identified by the survey, interviews with home managers, service users, family carers and care managers, and focus groups with members of four community learning disability teams. The total number of people placed out-of-area was estimated to be close to 2,000 (1,500 were placed by the local authority within the country). The main reason for such placements was lack of good local services, but cost also seemed important. For many of those who had been in long-stay hospital, locality appeared not to be important. Effects varied, but at least a third of people were experiencing very poor service quality and quality of life. Family carers generally felt their relative was happy, but fear of loosing placement was a strong theme. For local community learning disability teams, the main problems included increased workload, reduced provision for local residents, difficulty in dealing with placing authority and the poor quality of the homes. Challenges for public agencies include provision of better local services, management of the cost incentives, especially for London Boroughs, and a system where funding follows the person wherever they chose to live.