Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Diversion, a hidden hazard?
- Authors:
- CREAMER Anne, SIMPSON Murray
- Journal article citation:
- SCOLAG Journal, 277, November 2000, pp.8-10.
- Publisher:
- ScoLAG(Scottish Legal Action Group)
Discusses the policy of diverting people with learning difficulties from the formal criminal justice process unless it is not in the public interest to do so. This article looks at diversion policy, highlights some of the dilemmas it poses and asks whether it is always in the individuals best interest.
Protected by design: new fraud protections for people at risk
- Authors:
- GLOAG Andrew, MACKENZIE Polly, ATAY Asli
- Publisher:
- DEMOS
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 67
- Place of publication:
- London
This report looks at the needs of people with a health condition that affects their cognitive abilities and their capacity to make decisions without support. Based on survey analysis, the report presents evidence that adults with cognitive impairment, such as acquired brain injury, learning disabilities or dementia, are more likely to experience financial abuse and be targeted by fraud. It analyses the current policy debate about the nature of vulnerability in the context of financial services, and makes the case that those with limited or fluctuating capacity should be legally entitled to additional protection or support under the terms of both the Equality Act and Mental Capacity Act. The report also details the increased reliance of people with cognitive impairments on friends, family and carers to help them deal with their finances. It analyses both the ways in which these carers could be helpful and harmful in the fight against fraud. It recommends a number of measures that could better protect at risk people from fraud and financial abuse. (Edited publisher abstract)
Investigating the lived experience of people with Down syndrome with dementia: overcoming methodological and ethical challenges
- Author:
- WATCHMAN Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(2), 2016, p.190–198.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Adults with Down syndrome are at increased risk of dementia at a significantly younger age and remain under-represented as participants in dementia-related research. Because little is known about their personal experiences either immediately postdiagnosis or as dementia progresses, there is little opportunity that shared individual experiences can shape future policy and practice. To remedy this omission, the author examined methodological and ethical challenges identified as part of a research study that included people with Down syndrome affected by dementia. It has been contended that traditional qualitative approaches are less effective when participants are affected by changing cognitive functioning and reduced verbal communication. To counteract this contention overt participant observation and an adapted narrative research method were used as part of a three-year longitudinal study to help better understand the lived experiences of three adults with Down syndrome affected by dementia. Methodological and ethical challenges were shown to collide, and factors contributing to this effect included identifying process consent, accurate representation of participants, the role of and relationship with the researcher, participants, lack of awareness of their diagnosis of dementia, and need to recognize the importance of social interaction while maintaining academic rigor. Reflections are proffered on two conceptual and practice issues, with a call for both to be recognised and addressed in terms of future policy and practice. First is a lack of awareness of a sense of “self” or identity, resulting in individuals with Down syndrome and dementia being defined by their situation rather than individual preference or need. Second is the lack of information postdiagnosis about dementia being shared with people who have Down syndrome. (Publisher abstract)
Good practice in physical interventions: a guide for staff and managers
- Editors:
- PALEY Sharon, BROOKE John, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 157p.
- Place of publication:
- Kidderminster
The first handbook for staff and managers on good practice in physical interventions draws together practical guidance from some of the UK’s leading physical interventions trainers and experts. Physical intervention or restraint with people who have intellectual disabilities is sometimes necessary, even though it is known to present dangers to both staff and service users (some service users have died as a result of restraint). This study aims to investigate the extent to which staff in intellectual disability services need training in the use of physical interventions or restraint.
Physical interventions with people with intellectual disabilities: staff training and policy frameworks
- Authors:
- MURPHY Glynis, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(2), June 2003, pp.115-125.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Physical intervention or restraint with people who have intellectual disabilities is sometimes necessary, even though it is known to present dangers to both staff and service users (some service users have died as a result of restraint). This study aims to investigate the extent to which staff in intellectual disability services were trained in the use of physical interventions or restraint. Their views of a recent policy framework on physical interventions were also sought. There were three groups of participants: (i) group 1 included staff who had attended conferences on the Policy Framework (the conference sample); (ii) group 2 included staff from two geographical areas (the geographical sample); (iii) group 3 included staff in specialist assessment and treatment services (the SpAT sample). All participants were sent a questionnaire asking them about their training in (and use of) physical intervention methods and their opinions on the policy document. There were at least 12 different types of training recorded, including a number of varieties of Control and Restraint (C&R). By no means did all the senior staff did have training in physical intervention methods. The degree of training varied with the sample and the type of training varied with the employing organization. Most participants in group 1 were very positive about the BILD & NAS Policy Framework but few staff in groups 2 and 3 had read the document. About two-thirds of the participants said their services had (or were developing) a written policy on physical interventions. There remained a clear need for further training in physical interventions and evidence on which the effectiveness of different methods of physical interventions could be judged.
Towards the creative management of risk: perceptions practices and policies
- Authors:
- ALASZEWSKI Andy, ALASZEWSKI Helen
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30(2), June 2002, pp.56-62.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This present article examines the importance of risk when supporting individuals with learning disabilities. Risk is an important issue in the provision of support. Service users saw risk primarily in terms of hazards. Carers were concerned about hazards and harm, but recognised the need for risk-taking. Professionals emphasized the importance of reasonable risk-taking. Agencies also recognised the importance of risk management, and most had or were developing risk policies. However, most of these policies are based on a restricted approach to risk which emphasizes hazard assessment, and health and safety issues.
Intellectual and HIV infection: a service related study of policies and staff attitudes
- Authors:
- MACDONALD Raymond A.R., MURRAY James L., LEVENSON Victor L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 12(4), 1999, pp.348-357.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Reports on a study of staff knowledge and attitudes in relation to policies on HIV infection in organisations providing services to people with intellectual disabilities. Staff in three different service providers (NHS, social service and private and voluntary organisations) were sent the staff attitudes towards persons with learning disabilities and HIV infection scale. 46 percent of respondents did not know or were unsure of policies concerning clients with HIV infection; 69 percent of respondents reported that these policies either did not influence their behaviour or that they were unsure if they did. The results are discussed with reference to HIV prevention, health promotion and appropriate service support for people with intellectual disabilities.
Working with women with a learning disability experiencing domestic abuse: how social workers can negotiate competing definitions of risk
- Authors:
- DIXON Jeremy, ROBB Megan
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 46(3), 2016, pp.773-788.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Women with a learning disability who experience domestic abuse receive intervention from both social services and the police. Responses from these services have increasingly become focused on notions of risk. This article uses governmentality theory to examine how risk is understood and managed by both services through a focus on policy and practice. The article examines how policy directs social workers to promote positive risk taking whilst assessing and managing risk for those deemed vulnerable or lacking mental capacity to self-protect. It is argued that, whilst social work decision making around risk has primarily been based on the judgement of individual workers, the police have increasingly adopted assessments utilising calculative measures. In addition, the article explores the extent to which these women are treated as autonomous agents responsible for managing their own risk. It is argued that social workers and the police should adopt a common screening process to highlight groups of women who may be at risk of abuse. In addition, social workers should draw on their interpersonal skills to enable women with a learning disability to recognise and make informed choices about abuse. (Publisher abstract)
Adult protection: an overview of research and policy
- Authors:
- BROWN Hilary, KINGSTON Paul, WILSON Barry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 1(1), August 1999, pp.6-16.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article considers the emergence of adult protection as a significant issue for health and welfare professionals. It presents a range of definitions and dilemmas alongside a comprehensive review of how abuse is manifested. A brief review of the latest research is followed by principles of good practice.
Managing risk in the care of people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- HART Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Care, 2(11), July 1999, pp.389-392.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
A risk-free environment may be safe, but it can also be impoverished. This article describes how structured risk assessment and management allows people with learning disabilities to maximise their potential for independence.