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Trends in the identification of children with learning disabilities within state schools in England
- Authors:
- HATTON Chris, EMERSON Eric
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 21(2), 2016, pp.108-112.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present data drawn from the Department for Education (DfE)concerning trends in the number of children identified as having a learning disability within state schools in England. Design/methodology/approach: Data based on the school census conducted by the DfE was examined annually for 2009/2010 to 2014/2015, to determine the number of children identified as having moderate learning difficulty (MLD), severe learning difficulty (SLD) or profound multiple learning difficulty (PMLD) within state schools in England, at two levels: having a Statement of Educational Needs/Education Health Care Plan, or at School Action Plus. Findings: The number of children identified as MLD reduced substantially over time, for both statemented children and children identified at the School Action Plus level. In contrast, the smaller number of statemented children with SLD or PMLD increased over time, in line with increasing school rolls and epidemiological trends. Research limitations/implications: Further work is needed to understand the sharp reduction in the number of children being identified as having MLD within schools, and the educational support being offered to this group of children. Better information is also needed on children with learning disabilities not being educated in the state school sector. Originality/value: This paper highlights important trends in the identification of children with learning disabilities in state schools in England, with consequences for how large groups of children are being supported.
Sexually silenced no more, adults with learning disabilities speak up: a call to action for social work to frame sexual voice as a social justice issue
- Authors:
- TURNER George W., CRANE Betsy
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 46(8), 2016, pp.2300-2317.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This qualitative study provides insight into the personal experiences and perceptions of adults with learning difficulties regarding their social-sexual lives. Case studies of five adults with learning difficulties based on two in-depth interviews and a home observation revealed five key elements needed to have a sexual voice: sexual self-advocacy, sexuality education, sexual script, sexual vocabulary and sexual-relational support. Social workers are encouraged to see sexual voice for adults with intellectual disabilities as a social justice issue. Challenging structural systems that contribute to marginalisation is fundamental to the efforts of social workers to advance human rights and social justice. Social work educators can increase student competency around advocacy related to disability and sexuality as well as assisting clinicians to improve their practice skills in these areas. (Publisher abstract)
Through learning to earning: transitions into employment for young people with SEND
- Author:
- TRANSITIONS TO EMPLOYMENT GROUP SUB-GROUP
- Publisher:
- Transitions to Employment Group Sub-Group
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 33
Sets out the key priorities and the challenges to be faced to ensure improved educational outcomes and support for young people with SEND in navigating the journey through education and training into successful and sustained employment. Disabled people make up nearly half of unemployed and economically inactive people in Britain. More people become disabled with age, but many young people with special educational needs or disabilities miss out on opportunities early in life. The paper makes specific recommendations and suggestions aimed at fostering greater employer buy-in and commitment to consider hiring someone with an impairment or long-term health condition; better employment outcomes from FE/training through supported internships, traineeships and apprenticeships; more seamless and coherent support; and more professional, disability-aware, careers advice at school-age. (Edited publisher abstract)
Development of self-help, language, and academic skills in persons with Down syndrome
- Authors:
- DE GRAAF Gert, DE GRAAF Erik
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(2), 2016, p.120–131.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using visual analysis by means of scatterplots, correlational analysis, and linear regressions, the authors explored the skills of individuals with Down syndrome in the areas of self-help, language, academics, and computer skills. By combining data of several Dutch studies, they obtained 1,252 different observations made by parents on 862 individuals, aged <1–35 years. Research shows advancement in language skills up to the age of 12, with plateauing afterward. In contrast, self-help skills still increase in adolescence and young adulthood. Academics and computer skills improve up to the age of 14. However, less developed academic skills (and computer skills) of adolescents and young adults appear to be a generational difference, rather than a loss of acquired skills. In their analysis, the authors differentiated between students with a primarily regular school career vs. those with a primarily special school career. In addition, in both groups, the studies were differentiated between students with an IQ >50 vs. an IQ between 35 and 50. The comparison between the various subgroups revealed that children with special education backgrounds in the higher IQ range demonstrated less advanced academic skills than children with regular education backgrounds in the lower IQ range. This suggests that regular education is more stimulating for academic skill development. Using age, “school career,” and IQ (<35; 35–50; 50–60; 60–70; >70) as predictors, regressions confirmed this conclusion. The authors conclude that their analyses show that the shift in the early 1990s in the Netherlands toward more inclusion in education for students with Down syndrome has led to better outcomes in academic skill development for these students. (Publisher abstract)
A comparison of support for two groups of young adults with mild intellectual disability
- Authors:
- SOENEN Sarah, BERCKELAER-ONNES Ina van, SCHOLTE Evert
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(2), 2016, pp.146-158.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Young adults with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) have varying profiles of cognitive, adaptive and behavioural functioning. There is also variability in their educational and therapeutic needs. This study compares recommended and actual provision of support for two groups of young adults with MBID and looks at young adults’ satisfaction with their support. Participants’ clinical files were analysed and a satisfaction interview was administered. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the groups, and t-tests or chi-square tests were used to explore similarities and differences between the groups. A combined, supported independent living setting, a structuring and regulating support style and psychotherapy were recommended for the young adults in group 1 (MBID with externalising behavioural problems), whilst independent living with access to community support services and a meeting house, and skills training was recommended for group 2 (MBID with internalising behavioural problems). Both groups were considered capable of standard employment with support from a job coach. The authors found mismatches between recommended and actual provision of support. The findings suggest that service providers do not focus enough on the educational support needs, but therapeutic needs are generally more often met. (Edited publisher abstract)
Learning disabilities core skills education and training framework: consultation draft
- Authors:
- SKILLS FOR HEALTH, HEALTH EDUCATION ENGLAND, SKILLS FOR CARE
- Publishers:
- Skills for Health, Health Education England, Skills for Care
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 82
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
A draft education and training framework, commissioned by the Department of Health, which sets out the core skills and knowledge which the health and care workforce need to apply in order to deliver quality learning disabilities services. It aims to describe common skills and knowledge that are transferable across different types of service provision. Specialist skills and knowledge are outside the scope of the framework. The framework will also determine the minimum standard for learning disabilities education and training and help to measure if education and training satisfies these standards. The core skills and knowledge are defined at 3 levels: Level 1: knowledge for roles that require general learning disability awareness; Level 2: knowledge and skills for roles that will have some regular contact with people with learning disabilities; and Level 3: knowledge and skills for those working with/caring for people with learning disabilities. The framework includes expected learning outcomes, and will be aligned to relevant quality and regulatory standards. It will be applicable to health and care employers and also educational organisations which train students who will be employed in the health and care workforce. The framework is being developed in parallel with a similar framework for mental health. (Edited publisher abstract)
England’s most disadvantaged groups: people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
- Publisher:
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 11
- Place of publication:
- London
This spotlight report focusses on the experiences of people with learning disabilities, drawing on the findings from Is England Fairer? (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2016). It examines the experiences of people with learning disabilities in relation to education, work, health and care, and prisons. There is increased recognition of the disadvantages that people with learning disabilities face. However, change has been slow and many people with learning disabilities are still ‘cared for’ rather than ‘supported with’. The result is that many learning disabled people are still excluded and continue to face inequality in every aspect of their lives. The report indicates that a greater number of learning disabled people are currently in higher education than in previous years. However, six months after qualifying, leavers with a specific learning disability were less likely to be in full-time work. People with learning disabilities have also considerably poorer health than the general population and they are not correctly identified and supported by the criminal justice system. (Edited publisher abstract)
People with learning disabilities in England 2015: main report
- Author:
- PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND
- Publisher:
- Public Health England
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 95
- Place of publication:
- London
This report summarises national statistical information on the characteristics of people with learning disabilities in England, and the services and supports they and their families use. It is the fifth in a series of annual reports and uses the most recent data available, which in most instances is for 2014/15. Chapters cover the following areas: mortality, health services, education, children's social care, adult social care, employment, safeguarding, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), benefits, and family carers. An accompanying report of detailed data tables is also available. (Edited publisher abstract)
Learning disabilities core skills education and training framework
- Authors:
- SKILLS FOR HEALTH, SKILLS FOR CARE, HEALTH EDUCATION ENGLAND
- Publishers:
- Skills for Health, Skills for Care, Health Education England
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 91
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Framework which sets out the core skills and knowledge necessary for all health and care staff involved in learning disability care. The Framework will also be used to determine the minimum standard for learning disabilities education and training and help to measure if education and training satisfies these standards. The core skills and knowledge are defined at 3 tiers to support the range of staff who need to have different levels of awareness of learning disabilities issues. Tier 1: covers knowledge for roles that require general learning disability awareness; Tier 2: covers knowledge and skills for roles that will have some regular contact with people with learning disabilities; and Tier 3: covers knowledge and skills for those providing care and support for children, young people and adults with a learning disability. The framework is presented in 19 subjects. Each subject area includes suggested target audience, key learning outcomes, links to relevant guidance and/or legislation, and mapping to relevant national standards, skills frameworks and qualifications. Within each subject, the learning outcomes are presented for relevant tiers. Appendices include sources of further guidance, suggested standards for training delivery, guidance on frequency of refresher training or assessment, and reference list. The Framework will be useful for health and care employers and educational organisations to identify key skills and knowledge for roles and teams; plan and design content for education and training; commission education and training; conduct training needs analysis; and support performance management processes and the assessment of competence. (Edited publisher abstract)
Linking user and staff perspectives in the evaluation of innovative transition projects for youth with disabilities
- Authors:
- McANANEY Donal F., WYNNE Richard F.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 20(2), 2016, pp.165-182.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
A key challenge in formative evaluation is to gather appropriate evidence to inform the continuous improvement of initiatives. In the absence of outcome data, the programme evaluator often must rely on the perceptions of beneficiaries and staff in generating insight into what is making a difference. The article describes the approach adopted in an evaluation of 15 innovative projects supporting school-leavers with disabilities in making the transition to education, work and life in community settings. Two complementary processes provided an insight into what project staff and leadership viewed as the key project activities and features that facilitated successful transition as well as the areas of quality of life (QOL) that participants perceived as having been impacted positively by the projects. A comparison was made between participants’ perceptions of QOL impact with the views of participants in services normally offered by the wider system. This revealed that project participants were significantly more positive in their views than participants in traditional services. In addition, the processes and activities of the more highly rated projects were benchmarked against less highly rated projects and also with usually available services. Even in the context of a range of intervening variables such as level and complexity of participant needs and variations in the stage of development of individual projects, the benchmarking process indicated a number of project characteristics that were highly valued by participants. (Publisher abstract)