Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 7 of 7
Changes in the self-rated well-being of people who move from congregated settings to personalized arrangements and group home placements
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 22(1), 2018, pp.49-60.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
A natural experiment contrasted the self-rated well-being of people with intellectual disabilities (n = 75) and those with enduring mental health problems (n = 44) after they moved to new accommodation and support options, while others remained in congregated settings or living in the family home. Most support staff also provided well-being ratings. In personalised arrangements, personal well-being was significantly higher than in congregated settings; particularly for people with intellectual disability who had higher support needs compared to people with mental health problems. Moving to a group home also brought some improvement in the well-being ratings of people with intellectual disability but only for those with higher support needs. Such moves seemed to lead to a decline in well-being for those with mental health problems. There were marked discrepancies between ratings given by the person with those of staff. The well-being measure shows promise for use in further comparative and longitudinal studies (Edited publisher abstract)
Relocating people with intellectual disability to new accommodation and support settings: contrasts between personalized arrangements and group home placements
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 20(2), 2016, pp.109-120.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Internationally the relocation of people with intellectual disability from institutions has brought significant gains to their quality of life. This study contrasted three groups of persons in Ireland who moved either to personalised arrangements (n = 29) or to community group homes (n = 31) with those who remained in congregated settings awaiting relocation (n = 29). Persons moving to rented accommodation with personalized support tended to be younger and had fewer support needs than those in group homes. They had greater control and choice in their lives, more community engagement and increased personal relationships compared to residents in group homes but those remaining in congregated settings fared worse of all. However, average staff costs were significantly higher in the latter settings. The implications for the future provision of group living arrangements are discussed along with the need for further longitudinal research to assess the sustained impact of personalized arrangements and their funding. (Edited publisher abstract)
The barriers to social inclusion as perceived by people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- ABBOTT Suzanne, McCONKEY Roy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 10(3), September 2006, pp.275-287.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Very little research has been done on social inclusion from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities, including perceived barriers and remedies. Focus groups were held with 68 persons, mostly tenants in supported living or shared group homes in Northern Ireland. Qualitative data were obtained using a mix of workshop activities and small group discussions. Four main barriers were identified: lack of necessary knowledge and skills; role of support staff and service mangers; location of house; and community factors such as lack of amenities and attitudes. Participants were able to identify a range of solutions for these barriers. Most of their proposals were in line with the aims of current government policy and good practice. These findings reinforce the contribution individuals could make to the planning of local services for themselves and others. This advocacy has been an essential element in reducing the social isolation of other marginalized groups.
Neighbours' reactions to community services: contrasts before and after services open in their locality
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Handicap Research, 6(2), 1993, pp.131-141.
- Publisher:
- BIMH Publications
Reports on research into attitudes of residents in three Irish communities prior to the opening of a small local day service, and two years later. Residents reported increased contact with people who had a mental handicap; many fewer problems occurred than they had initially anticipated, but an apparent drop in their willingness to be involved in helping than they had initially indicated was identified. Implications are drawn for strategies aimed at educating and involving local communities.
Residential provision for adult persons with intellectual disabilities in Ireland
- Authors:
- MULVANY Fiona, BARRON Steve, McCONKEY Roy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20(2), March 2007, pp.70-76.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The type of accommodation provided for persons with an intellectual disability is a major indicator of the social policy for this client group. This is likely to vary within and across countries; hence the importance of undertaking national and international comparisons. Estimations of future need are also required to assist service planning. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of all persons placed in the different accommodation options available in the island of Ireland, and the differences across the two service systems. A database of all persons in receipt of intellectual disability services has been operating in the Republic of Ireland since 1995. In Northern Ireland, regional databases were used to provide similar information. Around 10 000 people live in some form of residential provision: 56% in special settings, 35% in ordinary housing and 9% in hospitals. Most residents were classed as having 'severe' disabilities and were aged over 35 years. There were marked differences in the amount and type of provision provided in the two parts of the island. This was also mirrored in differences across health service areas within each country. The demand for future places was greater in Northern Ireland. A planning target of 3.5 places per 1000 adult population is proposed although substantial investments in services is required to achieve this. Longitudinal surveys are an important way of monitoring the impact of new policy initiatives.
The impact on social relationships of moving from congregated settings to personalized accommodation
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 23(2), 2019, pp.149-159.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
A natural experiment contrasted the social relationships of people with intellectual disabilities (n = 110) before and after they moved from congregated settings to either personalized accommodation or group homes. Contrasts could also be drawn with individuals who had enduring mental health problems (n = 46) and who experienced similar moves. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in each person’s residence on two occasions approximately 24 months apart. Multivariate statistical analyses were used to determine significant effects. Greater proportions of people living in personalized settings scored higher on the five chosen indicators of social relationships than did persons living in grouped accommodation. However, multivariate statistical analyses identified that only one in five persons increased their social relationships as a result of changes in their accommodation, particularly persons with an intellectual disability and high support needs. These findings reinforce the extent of social isolation experienced by people with disabilities and mental health problems that changes in their accommodation only partially counter. (Edited publisher abstract)
Change over 12 years in residential provision for adult persons with intellectual disabilities in Ireland
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, GRAIG Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 23(1), 2018, pp.1-7.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to document the impact of major policy changes and reductions in government funding on residential provision for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach: Ireland is unique in having a national database of people in receipt of services from specialist ID providers. Information on persons in residential settings from 2005 to 2016 was examined in terms of changes in the types of provision over time and broken down by age groups. Findings: From 2011 onwards, cuts in government funding coincided with a continuing reduction in the overall provision of residential accommodation for adults with ID. There was a parallel increase in the number of people living with family carers, especially persons aged 55 years and over. The greatest reduction was in residential centres which was in line with recent policy but this was not matched by an increase in alternative options, with fewer people aged 20-34 living in residential accommodation of any kind. Compared to Great Britain, Ireland has proportionately more residential places with fewer people living independently. Social implications: More Irish families have to continue caring for their adult relatives into their old age. Likewise, those resident in group homes and living independently are growing older which means there is an increased likelihood they will require additional support. Originality/value: This national data set is a valuable tool for monitoring changes in service provision over time and for determining the impact of government policy and funding decisions. (Publisher abstract)