Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Learning disability and the Scottish Mental Health Act
- Authors:
- WELSH Heather, MORRISON Gary
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 11(2), 2017, pp.72-82.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 for people with learning disabilities in Scotland, in the context of the recent commitment by the Scottish Government to review the place of learning disability (LD) within the Act. Design/methodology/approach: All current compulsory treatment orders (CTO) including LD as a type of mental disorder were identified and reviewed. Data was collected on duration and type of detention (hospital or community based) for all orders. For those with additional mental illness and/or personality disorder, diagnoses were recorded. For those with LD only, symptoms, severity of LD and treatment were recorded. Findings: In total, 11 per cent of CTOs included LD as a type of mental disorder. The majority of these also included mental illness. The duration of detention for people with LD only was almost double that for those without LD. A variety of mental illness diagnoses were represented, psychotic disorders being the most common (54 per cent). Treatment was broad and multidisciplinary. In all, 87 per cent of people with LD only were prescribed psychotropic medication authorised by CTO. Originality/value: There has been limited research on the use of mental health legislation for people with learning disabilities. This project aids understanding of current practice and will be of interest to readers both in Scotland and further afield. It will inform the review of LD as a type of mental disorder under Scottish mental health law, including consideration of the need for specific legislation. (Publisher abstract)
Adult protection in Scotland in 1857 and in 2015: what have we learned?
- Author:
- CAMPBELL Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 18(2), 2016, pp.96-108.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to compare recent developments in adult protection legislation, policy and practice in Scotland in 2015 with the first attempts at protection of adults at risk of harm, in 1857-1862, with a particular focus on people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses comparative historical research, drawing on primary archive material from 1857 to 1862 in the form of Annual Reports of the General Board of Commissioners in Lunacy for Scotland and associated papers. Findings: Growing public awareness of the extent of neglect and abuse, and the need for overarching legislation were common factors in the development of both the “The Lunacy Act” of 1857 and the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act of 2007. Both pieces of legislation also had the common aim of “asylum”, and shared some other objectives. Practical implications: Total prevention of abuse of vulnerable adults is an aspiration in law and in policy. There is an evidence base of effectiveness, however, in protecting adults at risk of harm from abuse. Some ecological factors recur as challenges to effective safeguarding activity. These include problems of definition, uncovering abuse, enforcing legislation, evaluating impact and protection of people who are not a risk of harm to others. Originality/value: This paper compares common themes and common challenges in two separate time periods to investigate what can be learned about the development of legislation and practice in adult protection. (Publisher abstract)
Current policy and legislation in England regarding older people: what this means for older people with learning disabilities: a discussion paper
- Authors:
- TURNER Sue, UEKI Madeline Cooper
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(4), 2015, pp.254-260.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: This paper seeks to explore the opportunities and challenges generated by current policy, guidance and legislation in England relating to older people, in terms of the practical implications for older people with learning disabilities. Methods: Using the broad themes housing, employment, social inclusion and isolation, care and support, and promoting better health and well-being, this paper discusses potential practical opportunities and concerns for older people with learning disabilities arising from policy and legislation such as current initiatives regarding integration, personalisation and the dementia policy. Consideration is given to the implications of changing policy and practice for both current and future generations of people with a learning disability as they reach older age. Conclusions: This discussion paper concludes that whilst there is potential for older people with a learning disability to benefit from policy and practice aimed at improving the lives of older people generally, the tendency for policy to be targeted at specific groups without adequately considering the diversity of those groups often leaves those with a learning disability at the margins of being able to make the most of changes. (Publisher abstract)
A review of the legislative and policy context in relation to looked after disabled children and young people in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- KELLY Berni, DOWLING Sandra, WINTER Karen
- Publisher:
- Queens University Belfast
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 101
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This review looks at legislation and policy in Northern Ireland (NI) relating to looked after disabled children and young people. Chapters cover: international rights-based legislation, including relevant United Nations policy documents; rights-based legislation in Northern Ireland; the local legislative context for disabled children in Northern Ireland; Irish policies relating to disabled children and young people who are looked after across children and family, disability and mental health policy areas. Key policies in youth justice and education are also discussed. The review then considers key trends identified, including whole child and family centred approaches; early intervention, multi-agency working, and user participation. The final chapter brings together the broad themes of the review indicating areas of commonality and difference across legislation and policy relevant to the lives of disabled children and young people who are looked after. (Edited publisher abstract)
Supporting aspirations - or not? Recent reforms on equality, the green paper on Special Educational Needs and the potential of a neurodiversity spectrum statement
- Authors:
- MACKENZIE Robin, WATTS John, HOWE Lati
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 17(1), 2012, pp.36-48.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The purpose of this paper is to review current legal and policy initiatives focused on special educational needs and equality in England. It discusses issues concerning inclusion of children with special educational needs into mainstream education, and includes contributions from parents about their experience concerning inclusion and statements of special educational needs. It then comments on plans for reform set out in the 2011 Department of Education green paper on special educational needs, covering changes directly affecting schools and pupils with special educational needs, quality of education, and responses to the proposals. It also discusses the potential contribution of a neurodiversity spectrum statement to assess a wide range of characteristics, arguing that this would lead to a holistic approach to assessing differences in learning styles, thinking, communication and behaviour, and adapting teaching to suit these differences.
Thirty years on - a new White Paper on better learning disability services
- Author:
- McGINNIS Brian
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 3(3), September 2000, pp.7-10.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Outlines the themes that are likely to be important in the new national learning disability strategy. It reflects on assumptions about the best forms of housing provision, and calls for the forthcoming published strategy to pay attention to developing ownership options, promoting social inclusion, how we secure quality across a range of accommodation and support models and what will be achieved or undermined by the Supporting people proposals.
With inclusion in mind: an easy read guide
- Author:
- SCOTLAND. Scottish Government
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Government
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 15p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This booklet is aimed at people with a mental illness or learning disability. It describes the things that councils can do to make things better for them. In 2003, the Scottish Government made a new law called The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) ( Scotland ) Act 2003. The new law says that local councils must help anyone who has a mental illness or a learning disability get the best from life. Local councils should not provide separate services for people with learning disabilities or mental illnesses, but should make sure that they can use all their services. This booklet lists various ways in which council staff can help people in relation to: their home; their community; their work; their money; their family; their education; art and culture; volunteering; taking part; and their health.
Time to decide who decides
- Author:
- HOLMAN Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 12(1), July 1998, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
People with learning difficulties are being increasingly affected by legislation about consent. Reviews the recent Bournewood case and outlines some proposals for a better system which have been presented to the Lord Chancellor as part of the consultation exercise on the Green Paper, 'Who Decides?'