There is a growing trend for the development of befriending services and increased government recognition that the provision of short break services (of which befriending is one of the range of services) is essential in supporting families of disabled people. Despite this there is a paucity of research evidence about the effectiveness of such services. It is these three factors which have prompted this research, which focuses on the views and experiences of 15 workers at seven befriending schemes for children and/or adults with learning difficulties in England; 34 people with learning difficulties using the schemes; 42 befrienders attached to them; and 46 parent carers of children/young people linked to any of the seven schemes.
There is a growing trend for the development of befriending services and increased government recognition that the provision of short break services (of which befriending is one of the range of services) is essential in supporting families of disabled people. Despite this there is a paucity of research evidence about the effectiveness of such services. It is these three factors which have prompted this research, which focuses on the views and experiences of 15 workers at seven befriending schemes for children and/or adults with learning difficulties in England; 34 people with learning difficulties using the schemes; 42 befrienders attached to them; and 46 parent carers of children/young people linked to any of the seven schemes.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, mentoring, physical disabilities, short break care, social care provision, volunteers, befriending schemes, children, evidence-based practice, friendship;
To date, there has been a lack of research evidence about the effectiveness of befriending services and little guidance about what good practice should entail.This is despite a proliferation in befriending services, their growing popularity and government recognition of their importance to families of disabled children. Key areas include; the aims of the service, publicising the service, referrals, assessment , training, matching befrienders to befriendees, support and supervision arrangements, serviceuser involvement, resources, policies, breaks and endings and evaluation.
To date, there has been a lack of research evidence about the effectiveness of befriending services and little guidance about what good practice should entail.This is despite a proliferation in befriending services, their growing popularity and government recognition of their importance to families of disabled children. Key areas include; the aims of the service, publicising the service, referrals, assessment , training, matching befrienders to befriendees, support and supervision arrangements, serviceuser involvement, resources, policies, breaks and endings and evaluation.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, mentoring, physical disabilities, quality assurance, short break care, social care provision, supervision, user participation, volunteers, befriending schemes, children, evidence-based practice, friendship, good practice;