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Quality group home care for adults with developmental disabilities and/or mental health disorders: yearning for understanding, security and freedom
- Authors:
- SHIPTON Leah, LASHEWICZ Bonnie M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(5), 2017, pp.946-957.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The purpose of this study was to uncover and understand factors influencing quality of care received by adults with developmental disabilities and/or mental health disorders living in group homes. Methods: The present authors conducted a secondary analysis of data from nine focus group discussions with adults with developmental disabilities and/or mental health disorders, and their family and paid caregivers (N = 52). To focus the analysis, the present authors drew on the research literature to craft a model of quality of group home care using concepts of social inclusion and self-determination, and corresponding staff approaches that include active support and person-centred care. Results: Social inclusion and self-determination for adults in group homes are facilitated by staff approaches and manifest in residents being understood and experiencing security and freedom. Conclusions: The present authors offer recommendations for group home resources, training, communication and outcome measures that promote residents’ being understood and experiencing security and freedom. (Publisher abstract)
‘I felt I was in control of the meeting’: facilitating planning with adults with an intellectual disability
- Authors:
- ESPINER Deborah, HARTNETT Frances Margaret
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 40(1), March 2012, pp.62-70.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this study was to evaluate a new approach to the facilitation of personal plans. The organisation had introduced an independently facilitated 2-day training programme for staff who had been appointed to the new role of facilitator. The intent of the training programme was to enhance the facilitation of personal plans to ensure the person’s voice was captured. The content of the training included being person-centred, deep listening, group dynamics, and the provision of information in accessible formats. This study aimed to examine the perspectives of adults with an intellectual disability, their family, caregivers and advocates, and key staff to this new approach. Semi-structured interviews were held with 10 adults with an intellectual disability. In addition, questionnaires were sent to their supporters and key staff; this received 3 responses from supporters and 6 responses from staff. Nine out of the 10 adults indicated that the facilitator had created a forum where they had felt listened to and their voice had been acknowledged. Five themes emerged from the findings: deep and ongoing listening; understanding and involvement; planning and co-ordination; ownership and outcomes; and promotion of self-determination. The article concludes that the planning process, if well facilitated, provides the opportunity for people to be actively involved in decision-making based on their aspirations.
“Living the life I want”: a framework for planning engagement with people with intellectual disability and complex support needs
- Authors:
- DEW Angela, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(2), 2019, pp.401-412.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Self‐determination involves autonomy, agency, choice and control. This study investigated how these aspects of self‐determination relate to engaging people with intellectual disability and complex support needs in setting goals and making plans. Method: Body mapping was used to understand the planning experiences of 30 adults with intellectual disability and complex support needs. Each participant created two body maps using a guided group‐based process. Visual and text data were thematically analysed and a framework for planning engagement developed. Results: The framework identifies the centrality of having a well‐developed sense of self which includes insight, motivation and agency, and which is shaped by contextual barriers and facilitators and influenced by helpful and unhelpful support. Conclusions: A well‐developed sense of self and ability to harness resources and people is fundamental to the ability of individuals with intellectual disability and complex support needs articulating goals, identifying aspirations, and attaining valued outcomes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Citizenship: a guide for providers of support
- Authors:
- SLY Sam, TINDALL Bob
- Publisher:
- Centre for Welfare Reform
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
This guide outlines the 7 keys to citizenship and explains how they can be used by service providers to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families and can also build quality into services. It believes that these 7 keys can help people to take action on three levels: personal change; local change in communities; and political change. Sections look at each of the seven principles in turn, and outline how they can provide a framework for improving the lives of people with disabilities. The 7 keys to citizenship are: purpose – having goals, hopes and dreams and a structure for life and a plan to achieve this; freedom – having control and the ability to be heard; money – having enough money to live a good life and control over how that money is spent; home – having a place that belongs to us; help – having good help that enhances our gifts, talents and skills; life – making an active contribution to our communities; Love – having loving relationships. (Edited publisher abstract)
Achieving equal citizenship: meeting the challenges of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Author:
- TOWELL David
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 14(2), April 2009, pp.4-9.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The recent UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides a powerful vision of the opportunities and support which should be available to intellectually disabled people and their families, based on a principled commitment to equal citizenship. When ratified nationally, this wide-ranging Convention has the force of law. Nevertheless there is a long road to travel in securing its successful implementation. Looking across different aspects of the Convention (concerned for example with education, community living or employment) the author identifies three common ‘building blocks’ for progress, focused respectively on strengthening self-determination, promoting mainstream inclusion and providing personalised support. Experience in many countries of the ‘North’ suggests 12 key elements in national and local strategies to address these three requirements. It also points to the need for active partnership between civil society organisations, government and the current service system in which managers and other professional staff can play an important catalytic role. One priority is to invest in developing the capacity for the whole-system leadership required to bring together the other 12 elements of strategy so as to create a virtuous spiral of positive change. Effective ways of sharing experience across countries on how all this can best be done need to be found.