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Sexual abuse prevention: a training program for developmental disabilities service providers
- Authors:
- BOWMAN Rachel A., SCOTTI Joseph R., MORRIS Tracy L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 19(2), March 2010, pp.119-127.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
It has been reported that persons with developmental disabilities are at an increased risk for becoming victims of sexual abuse, and research has revealed that the largest group of identified perpetrators of sexual abuse is within developmental disability service providers. The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a sexual abuse prevention training program. Participants included one hundred and twenty four developmental disability service providers, from West Virginia, who were administered a survey assessing knowledge and attitudes before and after the training workshop. Approximately 55% of individuals served by these agencies were children under the age of 18 years. Findings showed that small improvements in knowledge and attitudes about sexual abuse and the sexuality of persons with developmental disabilities were identified. However, more general attitudes about individuals with developmental disabilities did not change. Implications for future research in this area are highlighted.
Investigating staff knowledge and attitudes towards working with adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems
- Authors:
- ROSE Nikki, O'BRIEN Alex, ROSE John
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, 1(3), September 2007, pp.52-59.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Government policy in the UK suggests a shift in service provision so that the treatment of people with a learning disability who have mental health problems should be undertaken by mainstream mental health services rather than specialist learning disability services. Staff members from both specialist and mainstream services took part in a series of focus groups to discuss their experiences and attitudes about working with this group of people. Findings form the study suggest that staff with mainstream services currently feel that they are inadequately trained to deal with the often complex mental health needs of this group. Conversely, staff in learning disability services expressed concern about loosing their specialist skills in generic services. The implications of the themes are raised are discussed, particularly in relation to future service provision.
Stakeholders' views on measuring outcomes for people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- YOUNG Anita F., CHESSON Rosemary A.
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 14(1), January 2006, pp.17-25.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to discover views of managers and commissioners of services for people with learning disabilities in Scotland regarding (a) current approaches to service evaluation (as an indication of what is to be measured) and (b) healthcare outcome measurement. A postal questionnaire was used to survey 94 stakeholders from the NHS, Local Authorities, and non-statutory organisations across Scotland. Respondents' views were sought on current approaches to service evaluation within learning disabilities; outcome measurement; appropriateness of specified methods of measuring health outcomes; desired future methods of outcome measurement within learning disabilities; and service user involvement in care. A 77% (73/94) response rate to the questionnaire was achieved. Different methods of service evaluation were used by different stakeholders. Staff appraisal was the most frequently identified method (used by 85% of respondents). Specific outcome measures were used by 32% of respondents although there were differences of opinion as to what constitutes specific outcome measures. Overall there was strong support for goal-setting and reviewing (83%) and individualised outcome measures (75%) as appropriate methods for use with people with learning disabilities. The hypothetical question asking what outcome measures should be introduced for this client group had by far the lowest response rate (51/73). The overwhelming majority of all respondents, 68 (92%), reported user involvement in their service. Staff ambivalence to outcome measurement was evident in the research and respondents highlighted the complexity and multidimensional nature of outcomes for this service user group. Managers recognised that outcome measurement was expected but were uncertain how to go about it.
Who’s challenging who?: a co-produced approach for training staff in learning disability services about challenging behaviour
- Authors:
- FLYNN Samantha, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 24(4), 2019, pp.200-203.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to outline the development, piloting and evaluation of the Who’s Challenging Who? (WCW) training intervention for social care staff to improve their empathy and attitudes towards people with learning disabilities (LD) and challenging behaviour (CB). Design/methodology/approach: A phased approach was taken to the development and testing of the intervention. Initially, the existing literature was reviewed, the theoretical background of the intervention was developed, and then the intervention was designed. A pilot study was undertaken, followed by further development, and a large-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT). Findings: WCW had a small positive effect on staff empathy 20 weeks after the intervention, and small to moderate effects for other staff reported outcomes (e.g. positive empowerment attitudes and positive work motivation). Being trained by people with LD and CB encouraged staff to reflect on the impact they have on the people they support. The trainers with LD valued their role, and saw benefits beyond this (e.g. friendships). Research limitations/implications: It is possible to carry out high-quality RCT evaluations of social care practice, and research should continue to generate evidence in this way, as in healthcare settings. However, there were difficulties in retaining participants. Practical implications: People with LD can be actively involved in the co-production and delivery of social care training. Social implications: Employment and a fair wage can increase the confidence and empowerment of people with LD. Originality/value: This is the first large-scale RCT of an intervention that aimed to improve empathy/change attitudes in social care staff who work with people with LD and CB. (Publisher abstract)
Services in the community for adults with psychosis and intellectual disabilities: a Delphi consultation of professionals' views
- Authors:
- HEMMINGS C.P., UNDERWOOD L.A., BOURAS N.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 53(7), July 2009, pp.677-684.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
There remains a severe lack of evidence on the effectiveness of community services for adults with psychosis and intellectual disabilities (ID). There has been little consensus even of what services should provide for this service user group. A consultation of multidisciplinary professionals was carried out by using a three-round Delphi exercise. Participants were recruited nationally. They rated their views on the importance of 139 items for the care of adults with psychosis and ID. These included 85 routine service components, 23 service user characteristics for those needing a more intensive service and 31 more intensive service components. Forty-nine out of 52 participants completed all three rounds of the Delphi consultation. Consensus of opinion (≥80% agreement as essential) was obtained on 18 of the routine service components, nine of the service user characteristics and five of the more intensive service components. The routine service components considered essential can be broadly considered under a need for a focused approach on the service user and their illness (e.g. monitoring of mental state) and the added need to work within the wider context of the service user with psychosis and ID (e.g. access to social, leisure or occupational activities). Five of the more intensive service components were considered to be essential (e.g. can react to a crisis that day). However, the routine service components considered essential already contained many components such as out-of-hours support and crisis plans also relevant to more intensive services. the authors conclude that these findings can be used to develop further the evidence base for services in the community for this user group and to assist in the preparation of much needed service evaluation studies.
The experiences of professionals who care for people with intellectual disability who have substance-related problems
- Author:
- MCLAUGHLIN D.F.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Substance Use, 12(2), April 2007, pp.133-143.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
More people with intellectual disability are living independent lives. They can and do experiment with substances that the wider community try, such as alcohol and drugs (both legal and illicit). Unfortunately for some, they develop problems related to their use of these substances. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 professionals who work in Intellectual Disability Services and Alcohol and Drug Services to discover their experiences of caring for people with intellectual disabilities who hazardously use substances. Although small numbers of people presented to these services, many more people with intellectual disabilities used Intellectual Disability Services for support, rather than their local Alcohol and Drug Services. While the numbers may be relatively small, the challenges this client group pose are very perturbing in relation to their physical, emotional and social health. The professionals reported a lack of education in working with this doubly disadvantaged population. Moreover, policies were absent to guide staff to work collaboratively with this often-ignored population. These findings are discussed in light of the innovative practices that are occurring in other parts of the UK regarding the recognition, assessment treatment and long-term management of this population. Intellectual Disability Services and Alcohol and Drug Services need to work more closely together if the needs of this population are to be effectively met.