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Spirituality and learning disability: a review of UK Government guidance
- Authors:
- SANGO Precious Nonye, FORRESTER-JONES Rachel
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 19(4), 2014, pp.170-177.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Despite spirituality being a key aspect of quality of life, it appears to remain a low-priority area for social and health care government policy. This review identifies and describes what UK policy says about spirituality in relation to the care of people with learning disabilities (LD). A systematic policy review using three websites: legislation.gov.uk; Department of Health and Directgov (now known as gov.uk) was carried out. A total of 43 policy documents relevant to care provision of people with learning disabilities were identified; only six of these mentioned spirituality, faith or religion in relation to people with LD. In these six documents, four themes are identified and described: human rights; discrimination and equality; inclusion (or participation in community and faith group activities) and need. The review identified policy gaps and a general lack of government directives in relation to the spiritual care of people with LD. Whilst research in this area is gathering momentum, practical implementation which makes a real difference to the spiritual experiences of people with LD appears to be sparse. (Edited publisher abstract)
Restriction on restraints in the care for people with intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands: lessons learned from Australia, UK, and United States
- Authors:
- ROMIJN Anita, FREDERIKS Brenda J.M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 9(2), June 2012, pp.127-133.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The use of restraints in the care of people with intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands is regulated by the Psychiatric Hospitals Act. Physical or mechanical interventions may be used to avert aggression and danger to a client or his surroundings. The issue of restrictive practices has attracted considerable attention following a television documentary which revealed excessive use of mechanical restraints on an 18-year old youth. The aim of this article was to provide insight into legislation, protocols, and practices in other countries so as to make recommendations for policy on reducing the use of restraints in the Netherlands. Journal articles and policy reports on national policies and practices for the years 2000-11 were analysed for 3 countries: the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. The findings showed that, although the use of restraints in the care for people with intellectual disabilities is internationally regulated by the criterion of ultimum remedium, policy is clearly not always in line with practice. Common elements in best practices designed to reduce the use of restraints include: strong leadership in care facilities based on national policy; trained staff; a strict monitoring system; and changes in attitudes on the use of restraints, with restraints being identified as treatment failure.