Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Practices changes in the child protection system to address the needs of parents with cognitive disabilities
- Authors:
- AZAR Sandra T., MAGGI Mirella C., PROCTOR Stephon N.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Child Welfare, 7(5), 2013, pp.610-632.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Parents with cognitive disabilities are over-represented in the child protection system. However, this system is not well prepared for working with them. Biases against their parenting, the need for accommodations, staff training, and cross systems barriers must be addressed. This article argues for changes to ensure parents are more effectively served and that staff and contract providers are better equipped. Specific changes are discussed in assessment and intervention practices. They will require human capacity building and organisational restructuring. Although behavioural approaches will be emphasised, recent research suggests cognitive behavioural cognitive approaches must also be integrated into a blueprint for change. (Publisher abstract)
Exploring how churches include people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- PATERSON Donna
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 13(6), November/December 2013, pp.24-26.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The study explored how two churches in the northwest of England aimed to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities in their own communities. One church was not used by any individuals with learning disabilities, the second church ran a bible study group for people with learning disabilities with approximately 45 members. The church leaders from both churches, the bible study group leader, and a sample of 10 people with learning disabilities were interviewed. The findings identified the importance of churches including people with learning disabilities; the barriers that exist in the church community (structural, attitudinal and intellectual); and examples of some good inclusion practices. (Original abstract)
The challenge of a “triple diagnosis”: identifying and serving homeless Canadian adults with a dual diagnosis
- Authors:
- LOUGHEED Donna C., FARRELL Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(3), 2013, pp.230-235.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Adults with both a mental illness and intellectual disability (in Canada, a “dual diagnosis”) and who reside in shelters for the homeless are vulnerable and at risk for physical, sexual, and financial abuse. Their mental illnesses are difficult to diagnose and treat, and their intellectual impairments are difficult to ascertain. The authors review the existing literature on homelessness and intellectual disability, and use this and their extensive clinical experience with the homeless in a large Canadian city to identify and extrapolate reasons for the challenges facing both these individuals and the agencies and organizations that serve them. Challenges to providing appropriate services include, identifying and linking with these adults; recognizing the implications of the level of the intellectual delay and the mental illness on the individual's ability to cope, and stay safe; understanding the wants and needs of the individual; expanding the mandate of the agencies and professionals wanting to serve this group; and developing policy that will both provide appropriate support of the individual, but also provide protection, if necessary by legal means. They further suggest that focal services should be based on the following characteristics: flexibility, meeting the client where he or she lives, consideration of capacity to consent in order to avoid neglect issues, and understanding of the lifelong and pervasive effects of intellectual delay in all facets of life. Though the population discussed is resident in Canada, these issues apply to individuals in other countries, as well, where there are concerns about these vulnerable adults with a “triple diagnosis.” (Edited publisher abstract)
A brief report on the provision of services for hearing impaired, intellecutually disabled, ADHD and autistic spectrum offenders at HMP Whatton
- Authors:
- DUNN Elizabeth, THORNE Karen, HOCKEN Kerensa
- Journal article citation:
- Prison Service Journal, 208, 2013, pp.26-30.
- Publisher:
- Her Majesty's Prison Service of England and Wales
Draws on a project running at HMP Whatton to identify and address service gaps for a minority group of offenders with specific disabilities. The project aimed to make recommendations about how to improve their experience and environment in custody and the services they can access. These services needed include both risk reduction activities and also services targeting social and welfare needs of the offender. The project involved a multidisciplinary steering group; a literature review; a review of services in public sector prisons and public and private sector organisations working in the disabilities field; a mapping of existing provision in HMP Whatton; and focus groups with service users. The results identified the following gaps in service provision: assessment; information sharing; understanding of needs; treatment and intervention provision; environment; and through care. The article summarises the recommendations made and the actions taken to put these into practice. The project highlights the importance of a multi-disciplinary steering group to the success of the project. (Original abstract)
A comparison of carers needs for service users cared for both in and out of area
- Authors:
- EMERY Heidi, JONES Bridget, CHAPLIN Eddie
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(3), 2013, pp.143-151.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper describes an ongoing process of engagement with carers of people with intellectual disabilities currently being monitored by an out of area service for both carers of people placed both in area and out of area within a local Mental Health Learning Disabilities team in South London. Using a series of consultation events, carers were asked to participate in a free dialogue which focussed on everyday issues for carers. This included financial implications of caring, knowledge of care pathways/systems in care, carer's needs and expectations and the support they currently receive. The issues and concerns that carers face in their daily lives when supporting one or more people are highlighted. These include lack of recognition, financial difficulties, lack of training and support. (Edited publisher abstract)
The experience of carers in supporting people with intellectual disabilities through the process of bereavement: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
- Authors:
- HANDLEY Emily, HUTCHINSON Nick
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(3), 2013, pp.186-194.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A semi-structured interview was used to interview 11 carers on their experience of supporting adults with intellectual disabilities through the process of bereavement. The transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). A total of five superordinate themes were identified: (i) Factors making the experience difficult for carers, (ii) Factors that helped carers, (iii) Carers' perspectives on the responses of people with intellectual disabilities, (iv) Approaches to supporting people with intellectual disabilities and (v) Carers' perspectives on support. Supporting people with intellectual disabilities through bereavement is an emotionally demanding task for carers. The support needs of carers need to be acknowledged and addressed in order to ensure that adequate support is available to people with intellectual disabilities following bereavement. (Edited publisher abstract)
The formal support experiences of family carers of people with an intellectual disability who also display challenging behaviour and/or mental health issues: what do carers say?
- Author:
- JAMES Neil
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 17(1), 2013, pp.6-23.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Legislation, policy and strategies encourage services and professionals to work with carers in ways that complement and enhance their roles in order to maximize their capacity to care for their relative. Family carers therefore are recognized as a valuable resource. This article reports the findings of a review of research that explored the support experiences of family carers of a person with an intellectual disability who displays challenging behaviour and/or has a mental health problem. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the reported experiences of family carers from recent research studies, about their own support. Carers commonly reported that the support they want from services and professionals is the provision of clear, understandable information about their relative’s condition and treatment. Also, they want help to develop skills that enable them to manage in difficult situations, the provision of psychological support for themselves and a break from their caring role. They desire well-coordinated services as well as skilled and knowledgeable professionals. Recommendations made for the development of future research and practice.
Confidential inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities (CIPOLD): final report
- Author:
- UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL. Norah Fry Research Centre. CIPOLD
- Publisher:
- Norah Fry Research Centre
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 133
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Report of an inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities which set out to review the patterns of care that people received in the period leading up to their deaths, identify errors contributing to these deaths, to illustrate evidence of good practice, and to provide improved evidence on avoiding premature death. The Inquiry investigated events leading to all known deaths of 247 people with disabilities (aged 4 years and older) over a 2-year period in 5 Primary Care Trust (PCT) areas of South-West England. The median age of death for people with learning disabilities (65 years for men; 63 years for women) was significantly less than for the UK population of 78 years for men and 83 years for women. Overall, 22% were under the age of 50 when they died. The report discusses causes of death; the numbers of unexpected deaths; the health and social care needs of people with learning disabilities; factors contributing to vulnerability and premature deaths; issues identified that made people with learning disabilities vulnerable to premature death; and quality of care issues. The report found the quality and effectiveness of health and social care given to people with learning disabilities to be deficient in a number of ways. Many professionals did not include approaches that adapt services to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. Issues that made people with learning difficulties vulnerable to a premature death included problems with adherence to the Mental Capacity Act and DNACPR guidelines. The findings highlight the continuing need to identify people with learning disabilities in healthcare settings, and to record, implement and audit the provision of ‘reasonable adjustments’ to avoid their serious disadvantage. (Edited publisher abstract)
Intellectual disabilities, violent conflict and humanitarian assistance: advocacy of the forgotten
- Author:
- ROHWERDERA Brigitte
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 28(6), 2013, pp.770-783.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article examines the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities in violent conflict who have been neglected in practice and academia. Such invisibility, combined with the disabling impact of society, their low priority, and the nature of their impairments, results in a disproportionately negative impact of conflict on people with intellectual disabilities. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including humanitarian workers, this article examines their experiences and analyses how much consideration has been given to people with intellectual disabilities in humanitarian assistance policy and practice in light of their increased need and vulnerability. Lack of awareness and recognition of their diverse experiences can result in their needs failing to be adequately met, which compounds their disproportionately negative experience of conflict. It is important to finally start paying attention in order to ensure their inclusion in humanitarian responses. (Publisher abstract)
Short breaks support is failing family carers: reviewing progress 10 years on from Mencap's first Breaking Point report
- Author:
- MENCAP
- Publisher:
- Mencap
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 49
- Place of publication:
- London
Updates the findings of an earlier Mencap report to investigate whether recent policy initiatives have improved the availability and provision of short breaks provision for people caring for family members learning disabilities. It also examines the extent to which cuts to central and local budgets have impacted on services. A total of 264 family carers responded to a survey on short breaks provision and caring. Freedom of Information requests were also sent to 152 local authorities in England that provide social services. The survey found that 8 out of 10 family carers have reached breaking point due to the lack of short breaks. Families also felt that services they were not having regular assessments and that services were not meeting their needs. The lack of access to short breaks has also a serious impact on family carers, such as stress or having to give up work. The report includes quotes from family carers who responded to the survey. Recommendations are also made for local authorities, central government and service providers. (Original abstract)