Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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An evaluation of the Mencap family adviser service in northern Ireland
- Authors:
- MCKEOWN Paschal, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Care in Practice, 7(4), December 2001, pp.273-287.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Mencap (NI) provides and largely funds an 'information and Advice Service' aimed primarily at family carers and people with learning disabilities. This article describes the service and the evaluation process used. Information was obtained from four stakeholder groups, namely service-users; service-funders; the leaders of learning disability teams in Health and Social Services (HSS) Trusts and the chair persons of Mencap local societies. The feature of a good information and advice service are noted, along with the developments required to the existing service, In the main these relate to improved partnership working with statutory agencies and increasing the profile of the service with services, family carers and people with learning disabilities.
Feeling down: improving the mental health of people with learning disabilities.
- Author:
- BURKE Christine-Koulla
- Publisher:
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- London
This report is aims to raise awareness among policy makers, commissioners and health and social care services and promote positive mental health of people with learning disabilities. It draws on a literature review, a national survey and focus groups, and real life case studies. The report begins by providing the context of the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities, drawing on the findings of a literature review. It then presents the results from a national survey and focus groups which look at the experiences of people with learning disabilities, their families, friends and staff when accessing support for their mental well-being. The final sections of the report provide recommendations for improving the mental health of people with learning disabilities. The report found that people with learning disabilities experience high levels of mental health problems. It also found that access to mental health services, assessment and treatment for this group needs to be improved. (Edited publisher abstract)
The impact of person centred planning
- Authors:
- ROBERTSON Janet, et al
- Publisher:
- Lancaster University. Institute for Health Research
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 125p.
- Place of publication:
- Lancaster
The initial results show that person centred planning led to positive changes for individuals. Some changes were short-lived, but some continued beyond the end of the project. People experienced ongoing positive changes in the size of their social networks, their circle of friends, their presence in the community and the extent and range of their daytime activities. Changes were also seen in people’s contact with their families and the amount of choice available to them, but these improvements were not sustained. People with a plan were more likely to have access to some advocacy and health services. Some negative changes were reported in relation to people’s emotional, behavioural and health problems. These findings are not entirely surprising given that some people find change stressful; that new environments are more likely to seem risky (whether they really are or not); and that person centred planning tends to highlight existing health problems and get help with them. The overall message is that person centred planning was beneficial for people taking part in the study. It is also effective as a policy in promoting community involvement, changing daytime activities, extending contacts with families and friends, and improving choice for people with learning disabilities.
Poverty and children with intellectual disabilities in the world's richer countries
- Author:
- EMERSON Eric
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 29(4), December 2004, pp.319-338.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The experience of poverty has a pervasive impact on the health (including mental health) of children and their parent(s), on family functioning and on the life course of children. The aim of this paper is to consider the relevance of poverty to our understanding of the health (and mental health) of children with intellectual disabilities in the world's richer countries. It is suggested that poverty is of considerable relevance to this area as: (1) young people with intellectual disabilities are at greater risk than their non-disabled peers of experiencing poverty; (2) the experience of poverty is likely to be associated with poor parental health and well-being and consequently poorer parenting practices; and (3) the experience of poverty is likely to be associated with poor child health and well-being. Implications for future research, policy and practice are discussed.
Overshadowed: the mental health needs of children and young people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- LAVIS Paula, BURKE Christine, HASTINGS Richard
- Publisher:
- Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 42
- Place of publication:
- London
A report, commissioned by Comic Relief, which shows that the mental health needs of young people with learning disabilities are often overlooked despite the increased risk these young people and their families face. The report is based on the results of a series of focus groups with young people aged 11-25, their parents and school-based professionals. It also draws on searches of the literature to identify the number of young people with both learning disabilities and mental health problems, facilitators and barriers to them and their families accessing support and relevant policy, guidance and practice. The report finds that children and young people with learning disabilities at increased risk of developing mental health problems due to social and emotional factors, such as living in poverty, parental mental ill-health and negative life events, rather than their disability. It also identifies barriers to early intervention to tackle risk factors, poor access to mental health services, a lack of joint working between different agencies and a lack of training and awareness in the mental health workforce. The report makes ten recommendations aimed at national and local agencies to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people with learning disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Supporting South Asian families with a child with severe disabilities: a report to the Department of Health
- Authors:
- HATTON Chris, et al
- Publisher:
- Lancaster University. Institute for Health Research
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 176p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Lancaster
The prevalence of severe learning disabilities amongst UK South Asian communities may be up to three times higher than the general population. Combined with general epidemiological trends, projections suggest that the number of UK South Asian people with severe learning disabilities will increase substantially over the next 20 years, with big increases in the number of school-age children and young adults. South Asian communities in the UK, compared to their White peers, experience pervasive disadvantage and discrimination in terms of housing, education, employment, physical and mental health and access to services, with Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations particularly disadvantaged. Despite these high support needs, South Asian families with a person with learning disabilities receive little informal support from family or friends outside the household, largely due to extended family members living too far away.
Developing services for carers and families of people with mental illness
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 27p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
The aim of this document is to help local mental health services develop support services for carers of people with mental health problems. It contains guidance on developing and sustaining mental health carer support services and also includes a sample job description for carer support workers. The guidance should be read in conjunction with Standard Six (Caring for Carers) of the Mental Health National Service Framework (MHNSF) and guidance on implementation of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000.
Competence in social work practice: a practical guide for professionals
- Editor:
- O'HAGAN Kieran
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 1996
- Pagination:
- 232p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Links social work theory to practice via case studies of real people in real contexts. Each chapter identifies core competencies, themes and principles. Includes sections on: conciliation work; residential child care; mental health social work; child protection; risk analysis; health care; criminal justice; respite care for children and adults with learning difficulties; working with families; and working with the Children Act 1989.