Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 12
Choice, autonomy and the reality
- Author:
- ROBENS Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Matters (e-Magazine), March 2014, Online only
- Publisher:
- The College of Social Work
Drawing on the results of a recent scoping review by David Sims and Sandra Cabrita, the author looks at how personalisation is having an impact on people with learning disabilities and transforming the role of the social worker. It focuses on the areas of: choice and control, and autonomy and independence. Additional relevant resources published by Research in Practice for Adults are also highlighted. (Original abstract)
Trends and variations in self-directed support and direct payments for adults with learning disabilities
- Author:
- HATTON Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 19(1), 2014, pp.35-38.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide information concerning trends over time and geographical variations in the number of adults with learning disabilities in England using self-directed support (SDS) and direct payments (DPs). Design/methodology/approach: Analysis of local authority returns to the Health and Social Care Information Centre (RAP Table SD1) concerning the number of working age adults with learning disabilities accessing SDS and DPs from 2009/2010 to 2011/2012. Findings: From 2009/2010 to 2012/2013 there has been a rapid increase in the number of working age adults with learning disabilities using SDS, particularly in the form of council services only, with the number of people using DPs staying largely static. There are wide geographical variations in the likelihood of adults with learning disabilities accessing all forms of SDS/DP. Originality/value: This paper analyses trends over time and geographical variations that have not previously been published in a peer-reviewed journal. (Publisher abstract)
Commentary on “The personalisation challenge: personalisation for people with learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging”
- Author:
- GIRAUD-SAUNDERS Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 19(1), 2014, pp.11-16.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the themes of the paper by Lingard et al. on personalisation for people whose behaviour is described as challenging. Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on recent reports and the author's experience to describe the context within which development projects are operating and the range of development that is required to support personalised solutions. Findings: There are plenty of resources available to support change; these have limited effect unless the local partners (councils, NHS bodies and others) work together to provide the conditions for success. Originality/value: Evidence is drawn together from a number of current sources. (Publisher abstract)
Quality of life: standards and toolkit
- Author:
- CHANGING OUR LIVES
- Publisher:
- Changing Our Lives
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- Hagley
These Quality of Life standards aim to raise people’s expectations about what a good quality of life really means. The standards have been written by over 650 children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism. They are based on people with disabilities being seen and respected as equal citizens in society, capable of having a full and valued life. The standards, which apply to all people with disability, and use a rights based approach, spell out what expectations people with disability should have with regard to personal autonomy and control over their life, staying safe, personal care, enjoying a full life, housing, employment and financial autonomy. The document also contains a toolkit, which gives an overview of some of the ways the Quality of Life standards can be used to both check the quality of support and services and to challenge culture and develop new practice. (Original abstract)
The personalisation challenge: personalisation for people with learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging
- Author:
- LINGARD Jane M.
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 19(1), 2014, pp.3-10.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report on a personalisation project run by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation (CBF) which aims to share the identified barriers and solutions to personalisation for people with severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging. Design/methodology/approach: A small project team consisting of a project manager, housing specialist and positive behavioural support specialist worked as consultants with selected East Midlands local authority and NHS commissioners and with six families from other areas. Findings: The main barrier to personalisation was the volume of, and priority given to, safeguarding referrals by frontline commissioning social care workers. This reduced capacity for a proactive approach to support planning. Workers who participated in the project appreciated the expertise and support of the project team and the opportunity to reflect on their work. However, a major project limitation was a lack of time for commissioning workers and managers to engage with the project. Practical implications: The project report provided a series of recommendations for action for commissioners of health and social care support and for families. The Winterbourne View scandal broke as the project was established and its findings are helpful to anyone taking forward action plans to improve commissioning practices to avoid the continued commissioning of poor quality care. Originality/value: The project sought direct engagement in planning in “real time” with frontline commissioning staff and the families of people with severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging. It is hoped that the value of the paper will be to influence NHS and LA commissioners to improve their response to people with severe learning disabilities. (Publisher abstract)
Circles of support and personalisation: exploring the economic case
- Authors:
- PERKINS Margaret, et al
- Publisher:
- London School of Economics and Political Science. Personal Social Services Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 17
- Place of publication:
- London
This small-scale study examines the economic case for Circles of Support as way of enabling people with disabilities to live a good life in the community and have greater choice and autonomy in meeting their needs. It also looks at the ways in which Circles have been used, they type of support they can provide, the outcomes achieved and costs incurred. The research was conducted as part of a wider study to assess the economic case for community capacity-building initiatives. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with Circle members: the person with disabilities (where possible), a primary informant (usually a parent) and another Circle member to find out how and why the Circle was set up and how it supported the person with disabilities to have as full and independent life as possible in the community. Circle facilitators were also interviewed to understand their role in providing the planning tools to enable the Circle to best support the person with disabilities. Quantitative data on recent health and social care service use were collected to develop ‘economic pen pictures’ of the five Circles. Informants considered the Circle had impacted positively on the individual’s quality of life. Circles supported care packages which appeared to provide successful alternatives to residential care. Commissioners may wish to explore further how Circles can be an additional approach to personalisation to support people with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community. (Edited publisher abstract)
Personalisation, family relationships and autism: conceptualising the role of adult siblings
- Author:
- ATKIN Karl
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 14(3), 2014, pp.225-242.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary: Current policy discourses demonstrate a weak connection to broader theoretical debates about family obligation and in particular how family responsibilities become negotiated over time and across the life course. How policy imagines family care can, therefore, be different to the actual experiences of families. This qualitative paper, using semi-structured interviews, explores the experience of a particularly neglected group, adult siblings, who have a brother or sister with autism (plus learning disability). The authors spoke to 21 adult siblings, met with 12 of their siblings with autism and talked to 12 health and social care professionals. Findings: The authors' analysis suggests that connectedness and commitment, which remained subject to continuous redefinition by all family members, informed sibling relationships Practitioners, however, struggle to engage with this complexity, thereby undermining the extent siblings’ relationships can be realised. Application: The paper concludes that policy initiatives are at risk of becoming an uneasy compromise, in which the need to offer choice occurs alongside the ‘problem’ of managing family care. Sibling relationships are more than simply ‘being of’ or ‘belonging to’ a family. They are dynamic, subject to contingency and negotiation. Interventions should be formulated to work with these assumptions, without presupposing a definite experience fixed in time and space. This would not only maximise the disabled siblings’ quality of life, but also ensure a more productive and fulfilling context for family relationships. (Edited publisher abstract)
The individual service funds handbook: implementing personal budgets in provider organisations
- Authors:
- SANDERSON Helen, MILLER Robin
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 184
- Place of publication:
- London
A guide to an innovative form of personal budget in health and social care. It explains what Individual Service Funds (ISFs) are, how to use them effectively and how to implement them in the organisation. The handbook spans a range of settings, including a dementia care home, supported living and residential homes for adults with learning disabilities and people who use mental health services. It also sets out guidelines and templates which can be used when implementing ISFs, addressing key practical concerns including: how to put together effective support plans, and how to ensure that ISFs are delivered in a person-centred way, and how to overcome organisational complexities in implementation and supporting managers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Personalising the housing offer: new approaches to housing with support for people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- WESTWOOD Sanna
- Publisher:
- Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 7
- Place of publication:
- London
This case study examines the introduction of a housing brokerage service in Essex and identifies the key phases and activities that took place. The service has been designed to ensure more people are able to access suitable housing options that enable them to live as independently as possible. The study highlights three aspects critical to the success of the process, including good communication, effective co-ordination with social care teams and gradual capacity building. The study, drawing on the learning from this project, sets out a framework for setting up a housing brokerage service and identifies the key phases: the analysis stage, to identify local needs and gaps in the services; the planning stage, to develop a business plan, demonstrating outcomes and financial and legal implication of setting up a brokerage service; the delivering stage; and the reviewing stage to ensure outcomes have been achieved. (Edited publisher abstract)
An inpatient Healthy Living Group
- Authors:
- ROSE Lexy, BREEN Olivia, WEBB Zillah
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 8(2), 2014, pp.128-137.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness of a Healthy Living Group (HLG) for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems in an inpatient setting. Design/methodology/approach: Seven sessions were developed. Each session focussed on a different aspect of healthy living, and used psychoeducation and practical skill building to enable individuals to create personalised healthy living plans. Quantitative post-intervention measures and a qualitative focus group were used to determine group participants’ learning and enjoyment. Findings: Principles about healthy living were successfully taught in an enjoyable way to individuals with learning disabilities. Factors that enhanced learning and those that created barriers to developing healthy living plans are explored. Practical implications: Individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems can be supported to develop personalised healthy living plans. Recommendations for further adaptations to the group structure are made, in order to enable others to run successful groups. Originality/value: The HLG is the first of its kind to be developed for individuals with learning disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)