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)
Inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream employment: is it really all about the money? A case study of four large companies in Norway and Sweden
- Authors:
- KUZNETSOVA Yuliya, YALCIN Betul
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 32(2), 2017, pp.233-253.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study investigates how large companies respond to public policy measures to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream employment based on a case study of four companies in Norway and Sweden. The qualitative interviews, which were conducted with company managers, government representatives in Norway, and non-governmental organisations in Sweden, revealed three overarching themes: (1) ‘legitimacy’, (2) ‘financial interests’ and (3) ‘non-financial support’. The results indicate a more proactive response from the Swedish companies, especially regarding persons with intellectual and learning difficulties. The Norwegian companies reveal a high commitment to their own employees. These findings cannot be explained solely using neo-institutional theory, which holds that organisations demonstrate ‘conformity with powerful institutional myths to strengthen support and secure survival'. The results indicate that inclusive targeted corporate policies and programmes, advisory support, and the agency and value choices of the management might matter more. (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)
Will general practitioners be adequately prepared to meet the complexities of enhanced dementia screening for people with learning disabilities and Down syndrome: key considerations
- Author:
- ROWE Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(1), 2016, pp.43-48.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article provides a timely response in regard to the Department of Health's current initiative to financially reward GPs to prioritise and undertake dementia screening for people with learning disabilities over the age of 50 years and for people with Down syndrome over the age of 40 years. Whilst GPs are becoming increasingly aware of their responsibility to care for the complex needs of people with learning disabilities, the implementation of dementia screening poses a multitude of challenges. Research has continued to suggest how difficult it is to detect the early and often ambiguous signs of dementia for someone who has pre-existing cognitive impairments and may present with atypical symptomology. And it continues to be a difficult process even for those who specialise within this area. However, GPs who choose to opt into this financially incentivised scheme will now be offering dementia screening. This article outlines the main GP aims within the dementia screening process and the difficulties that may be encountered, with specific focus upon: offering a dementia screen; obtaining consent; undertaking screening within the most appropriate setting; choosing a dementia screening tool and developing a baseline; detecting early dementia signs. (Edited 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)
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Pathfinder Programme evaluation: final impact research report
- Authors:
- THOM Graham, et al
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Education
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 238
- Place of publication:
- London
The final report from the evaluation of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) pathfinder programme. The programme, which was established in 2011 to explore how to reform the statutory SEN assessment and statement framework, involved the development and delivery of alternative approaches that could enhance or replace the existing system. Each Pathfinder was tasked to develop and trial an assessment process; a single, joined up EHC plan; and personal budgets across education, social care and health, and adult services as appropriate for children and young people from birth to 25 years. This report covers the second 18 months of the pathfinder programme, ending in September 2014, and looks at its effect on: families’ satisfaction with the systems and processes in place to obtain support for their child; families’ views about the amount and quality of support available to them; families’ views about their own and their child’s health and wellbeing; and the cost of the assessment and planning processes for obtaining SEND support. The data suggest that the process has improved for families, often in ways that are incremental but still statistically significant. Despite the improvement around the process, however, there was no statistical change in the extent to which families thought the decisions reached were fair. The family survey found little evidence of significant improvements in parental outcomes or in either children’s health or quality of life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Is policy having an impact? Commentary on “A summary of government initiatives relating to employment for people with learning disabilities in England”
- Author:
- MELLING Kathy
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 20(3), 2015, pp.166-169.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper provides a commentary on “A summary of government initiatives relating to employment for people with learning disabilities in England” by Kate Blamires. Design/methodology/approach: In her paper, Blamires outlines the development of policy in employment for people with learning disabilities. This commentary explores whether this policy development is having any impact. Findings: The statistics indicate that development of policy does not appear to be making a difference. It is concluded that this is about how it is being implemented and the time it takes for policy to have an impact. What is needed to fully implement these changes is a huge cultural shift, changing people’s mindset about what people with learning disabilities can achieve. (Edited publisher abstract)
Government proposals to close the Bournewood gap
- Authors:
- CURRAN Christopher, GRIMSHAW Catherine, DEERY Anthony
- Journal article citation:
- Openmind, 142, November/December 2006, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- MIND
The authors explain the government's proposals to address some of the issues required to close the 'Bournewood Gap'. The safeguards are for people who lack capacity and are deprived of their liberty but do not receive mental health legislation safeguards. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act will apply, including the requirement to act in the best interests of the incapacitated person and in the least restrictive manner.
Healthcare for men and women with learning disabilities: understanding inequalities in access
- Author:
- REDLEY Marcus
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 27(6), 2012, pp.747-759.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Healthcare for people with learning disabilities has risen up the political agenda in the United Kingdom. Mencap’s report ‘Death by Indifference’ followed by the Michaels’s report ‘Healthcare for All’ and the Ombudsman’s report ‘Six Lives’ have all raised concerns over the quality of healthcare received by people with learning disabilities. This has resulted in renewed efforts, set out in the Government’s strategy paper ‘Valuing People Now’, to ensure that people with learning disabilities receive the healthcare they are entitled to. This paper describes the challenges of providing healthcare to men and women with learning disabilities and reviews ‘Death by Indifference’ and the reports produced in its aftermath. It also presents findings from a small-scale study of access to healthcare undertaken in the East of England. Ten research participants were recruited from each of the following occupations: managers of residential accommodation; GPs; learning disability nurses; and care managers. In addition, 4 Vulnerable Patient Leads were recruited from 4 general hospitals. The research participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The findings show that access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities is crucially dependent upon support from family carers and professionals in health and social care. The paper concludes with a discussion of whether the policies in ‘Valuing People Now’ will improve healthcare for people with learning disabilities.
Supported employment and job coaching: best practice guidelines
- Author:
- VALUING PEOPLE NOW
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 7p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Employment is a priority for people with a learning disability as set out in Valuing People Now. Supported employment is a well-evidenced, personalised approach to working with people with significant disabilities, including people with learning disabilities and autism, to access and retain open employment, with support. The purpose of this document is to give the final definition of supported employment after consultation with a range of stakeholders (including people with learning disabilities, family carers, providers of supported employment and employers) following publication of the draft definition in March 2010. It covers what supported employment is and its guiding principles, who provides supported employment, and the supported employment model. This document is primarily aimed at supported employment practitioners and commissioners to ensure that more people with significant impairments get and keep jobs.