Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 6 of 6
Police interviews in Scotland: use of appropriate adults
- Authors:
- BOWDEN Keith, WILSON Ian
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 6(3/4), 2015, pp.195-203.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to show the development of Appropriate Adult services in Scotland over the past nine years and considers how this differs from the rest of the UK. Design/methodology/approach: New analysis of existing statistical information is provided to show pattern of demand, type of interview, nature of mental disorder involved and regional differences. Findings: Growth in demand for services is identified for both suspect and witness interviews, with people with learning disabilities most frequently receiving support. There is significant variation in the pattern of referrals across Scotland. Practical implications: The results reflect heightened awareness amongst police officers of the need for Appropriate Adults, but there should be examination of the different types of provision to promote equity of service. (Edited publisher abstract)
There to help: ensuring provision of appropriate adults for mentally vulnerable adults detained or interviewed by police
- Authors:
- BATH Chris, et al
- Publisher:
- National Appropriate Adult Network
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 19
Examines current appropriate adult (AA) arrangements for vulnerable adults, identifying shortcomings in provision, and setting out recommendations for ensuring provision for all who need it. This briefing paper is based on a research project which entailed a review of existing literature and law, new data from police forces, liaison and diversion services, AA services and custody officers and interviews and consultation involving senior stakeholders and individuals with direct experience of the criminal justice system. The paper highlights that there are significant shortcomings in current AA provision, particularly in terms of inadequate police practices and limited availability and variable quality of AAs. Many vulnerable adults do not receive the support of an AA or receive it only for part of the custody process. The underlying causes of these findings include: the absence of statutory duties either to secure or to provide AAs for vulnerable adults; lack of appropriate training and screening tools for police; time pressures in the custody suite; diminishing public sector funding and a lack of clarity over responsibility for commissioning. On the basis of a conservative estimate, 11 per cent of adult suspects require an AA. The annual cost of ensuring full provision of trained AAs from organised schemes, throughout the custody process and across England and Wales, is estimated at £19.5 million (£113,000 per local authority). Current national spending on AA provision for adults is estimated to be in excess of £3 million per year. The report calls for the development of a new approach at a national strategic level and a vision shared by relevant departmental bodies, agencies and organisations. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘Community fear and harassment’: learning difficulties and hate crime incidents in the north-east of England
- Author:
- MACDONALD Stephen J.
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 30(3), 2015, pp.353-367.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between impairment, disabling barriers and risk factors relating to hate crime incidents. The study analyses quantitative data collected in 2011–2012 where there were 81 incidents of disability hate crime reported in the Tyne and Wear area of England. The research discovered that in the Tyne and Wear region people with learning difficulties have a greater likelihood of experiencing hate crime than do people with other impairments. Although there was no significant difference between impairment and types of hate crime incidents recorded (i.e. verbal abuse/harassment, violence and criminal damage), there were distinct differences between police and victim support responses to victims which correlated to impairment categories (p ≤ 0.05). The study concludes by suggesting that owing to specific disabling barriers experienced by people with learning difficulties, this group is at increased risk of being victimised and is less likely to receive support from criminal justice agencies. (Publisher abstract)
There to help: ensuring provision of appropriate adults for mentally vulnerable adults detained or interviewed by police
- Authors:
- BATH Chris, et al
- Publisher:
- National Appropriate Adult Network
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 88
- Place of publication:
- Ashford
Report to examine appropriate adults (AA) arrangements for vulnerable adults who are detained or interviewed by police, identify shortcomings in provision and present recommendations for ensuring full AA provision for all vulnerable adults. The project involved a review of existing literature and law; data collected from police forces, liaison and diversion services, AA services and custody officers; and interviews and consultation involving senior stakeholders and individuals with direct experience of the criminal justice system. The main findings identified significant shortcomings in current AA provision for mentally vulnerable adult suspects, particularly in terms of: inadequate police practices with respect to identification of suspects’ vulnerabilities and the need for AAs, and the recording of relevant data; limited availability of AAs; variable quality of AAs. It found that many vulnerable adults did not receive the support of an AA or receive it only for part of the custody process. Barriers to the provision of adequate services included: the absence of statutory duties either to secure or to provide AAs for vulnerable adults; lack of appropriate training and screening tools for police; time pressures in the custody suite; diminishing public sector funding and a lack of clarity over responsibility for commissioning. The report makes 10 recommendations to improve the level and quality of provision. (Edited publisher abstract)
Preventing abuse through pre-employment checks: an international review
- Authors:
- MANTHORPE Jill, LIPMAN Valerie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(6), 2015, pp.341-350.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to summarise the findings of a desk-based international review investigating the checking of staff and volunteers working with adults who are vulnerable or at risk (or similarly defined) receiving social care in their own homes, or in day centres or residential care. Design/methodology/approach: In England, as part of the government’s attempts to prevent harm to vulnerable people, employers must check if their staff or volunteers are barred from working with vulnerable adults in the health and care sectors or if they have a relevant criminal record. This review sought to explore practices elsewhere, with a view to informing policy and practice debates. The review was undertaken in winter 2014-2015. It mainly involved a search of internet-based material and databases. This was further informed by communications with experts and practitioners from different countries. Findings: The review found a variety of practices, ranging from no checks to substantial checks involving fingerprinting. Reasons for checks identified in different national contexts extend from efforts to stop fraudulent use of government subsidies to minimising the risk of harm to vulnerable adults, and more positively to enhance user and public trust in care providers. A small number of countries place particular emphasis on the rights of individuals to privacy and rehabilitation and this moral imperative overrides other policy goals. This review highlighted a lack of clarity in publicly available documents about the potentially multiple policy goals of different schemes and suggests that there may be advantages to clarifying the options available from other countries. Research limitations/implications: This review was confined to English language material and to material located through internet searching. Some material may not have been updated on internet sites. Originality/value: The details of the processes have not previously been collated to the best of the authors’ knowledge. (Publisher abstract)
Don't put up with it! Domestic violence and women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- McCARTHY Michelle, MILNE-SKILLMAN Karen, HUNT Siobhan
- Publisher:
- Media2u
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 15 minutes 27 seconds
- Place of publication:
- Romsey
A video, made with and for women with learning disabilities in the UK, which describes what domestic violence is and tells women how they can get help. It is based on research which interviewed women with mild to moderate learning disabilities who had been in abusive relationships to explore their experiences and the attitudes and practices of the professionals involved. The video includes interviews with women discussing what they understand about domestic violence. A range of professionals also provide information on the services and support available to women with learning disabilities. These include the police; access to legal advice; help available form healthcare and social services, information about Independent Advocacy Services; and information about the women's refuge Beverley Lewis House in London. (Edited publisher abstract)