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In the community but still alone – the invisible wall between them and us
- Author:
- WALDRON Liam
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 23(3), Spring 2010, pp.16-18.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
People with learning disabilities often suffer from loneliness. This is witnessed by many care workers, but little has been done to help the situation. The author describes how what little has been done has been ineffective, because the approach is still centred on ‘doing for’ people with learning disabilities, rather than ‘doing with’. Any strategy which doesn’t focus on common humanity in a deeply philosophical way will not bring about the change of heart required to adequately address the problem. The author suggests that, in short, we need to see people with learning disabilities less as clients or customers and more as our brothers and sisters, and, if this is not allowed in the current systems we use, then the systems are flawed and must be changed. The article describes common human need, and relates the obstacles to changing the present systems in favour of a more compassionate approach.
From inclusion to exclusion: some unintended consequences of Valuing People
- Authors:
- SIMPSON Graeme, PRICE Vicky
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(3), September 2010, pp.180-186.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Valuing People is a policy which aims to help people with learning disabilities become included in all parts of life. The paper begins by locating Valuing People within the broader frame of policy relating to institutionalisation, social exclusion, and neo-liberalism. It then examines aspects of the implementation of Valuing People by focusing upon 4 case studies of people and analysing policy implementation in relation to each. These case studies show that, despite many positive aspects of the policy, it sometimes fails the most vulnerable, resulting in greater levels of social exclusion for this group. The paper argues that the policy, in its implementation, is firmly located within the Government's neo-liberal ideology. The conclusion is that whilst the policy is intended to be one which enhances social inclusion, its implementation has the unintended consequences of social exclusion. The paper makes some suggestions of how things could be improved, so that the aims of Valuing People can be met.
Working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people: people with learning disabilities: Richard's story
- Author:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Place of publication:
- London
In this video we meet Richard who was diagnosed with a learning disability at an early age. Richard explains his confusion around his sexuality and how he was not provided with adequate sex education. It explores his experiences of social care in relation to person-centred reviews and independent living. Richard discusses how he wanted to find a relationship and the subsequent isolation he felt when his request for support to go out and meet people was dismissed. Richard placed a formal complaint about the lack of support he was given. The video highlights the need for trained workers in sexuality and learning disabilities along with the need to adequately balance risk and responsibility toward the individual concerned so that they can live an inclusive and empowered life.
Social inclusion and mental health
- Editors:
- BOARDMAN Jed, et al, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- RCPsych Publications
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 384p.
- Place of publication:
- London
A wider range of contributors - including academics, consultants, people who use services and their carers - bring together varied experiences, evidence, research and everyday practices on the social inclusion of people mental health problems. The report looks at how psychiatrists and mental health workers can facilitate the social inclusion of people with mental health problems. Part 1 looks at what social exclusion is and how it is relevant to psychiatry. Part 2 examines the scope of social exclusion covering: disadvantage and poverty; how people are excluded; the exclusion of specific groups with mental health problem, ‘finding acceptance: the experiences of people who use mental health services’, and carers’ perspectives on social inclusion. Part 3 looks towards a future of socially inclusive practice with psychiatry services. The publication is relevant for mental health professionals, medical educators, policy makers and mental health service providers.
Spaces of social inclusion and belonging for people with intellectual disabilities
- Author:
- HALL E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(Supplement 1), April 2010, pp.48-57.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
It is well documented that people with intellectual disabilities are marginalised within society, and long-standing social, cultural and personal discrimination has produced a situation where people with intellectual disabilities are more likely to be deprived, not in employment, be in poorer health, and to be absent from mainstream social spaces. This has led people with intellectual disabilities to be described as socially excluded, and policies of social inclusion have been called upon to counter this through a focus on paid work and independent living. However, for many people with intellectual disabilities this is either not desired or not possible, and as a result many have sought out alternative spaces and activities of inclusion. The article provides a critique of social exclusion and inclusion, and then goes onto examine the ways in which people with intellectual disabilities develop feelings of attachment and belonging within artistic spaces. The author uses two brief case studies to highlight the benefits – one of a high profile theatre company, the other an arts and crafts organisation. The author concludes that not only do these spaces provide mostly positive outcomes for individual people, but also have a potential role in re-establishing the social and cultural understanding of people with intellectual disabilities.
Neighbourhoods with resilience to care: a viewpoint on developing the contributions of housing services for adults at risk of exclusion
- Authors:
- APPLETON Nigel, MOLYNEUX Peter
- Publisher:
- DH Care Networks. Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 22p.
- Place of publication:
- London
To improve the lives of adults who are at risk of exclusion, it is imperative to implement appropriate housing and related services. Inappropriate housing can reduce the ability of people with poor health or a disability to lead independent lives and participate in the community. As such, the providers of housing and housing related support have had a key role to play in the achievement of Public Service Agreement (PSA) 16 targets. This paper seeks to show those seeking to make a difference for people in these groups, be they commissioners, providers, tenants or service users, how they can use different structures to deliver health and well-being outcomes. The paper describes how the successful delivery of PSA 16 is going to require strategic planning across regional, sub-regional and local planning structures and the joint commissioning and procurement of services. This means that the successful delivery of PSA 16 is going to depend on a number of strategies coming together: the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment; Strategic Housing Market Assessment which is the local authority’s assessment of how the local housing market is functioning and an estimate of the housing and housing related support needs of vulnerable groups in the local area; and the Local Strategic Partnership, Local Area Agreement and the link to that from the Supporting People Commissioning Body.
Independent living for the most excluded: case studies of local authorities and third sector organisations working together to help vulnerable groups into homes and jobs
- Authors:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Cabinet Office. Office of the Third Sector, GREAT BRITAIN. Cabinet Office. Social Exclusion Taskforce
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Cabinet Office
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 20p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The socially excluded adults public service agreement (PSA 16) aims to ensure that the most socially excluded adults are offered the chance to get back on a path to a more successful life, by increasing the proportion of at-risk individuals in settled accommodation and in employment, education or training. PSA 16 focuses on 4 client groups who are particularly vulnerable to multiple forms of disadvantage: care leavers; offenders under probation supervision; adults in contact with secondary mental health services; and adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities. In 2009 the Office of the Third Sector and the Social Exclusion Task Force investigated 4 places where local authorities have used Supporting People funding to help individuals from PSA 16 groups into jobs and homes, to inform understanding of the third sector organisations which provide these services. This publication describes these 4 case studies, sketching the organisational structures in each place and the ways they help PSA 16 groups and giving contact details for each. The case studies are: Norwood in partnership with Redbridge Local Authority working with adults with learning disabilities; Foundation Housing with Leeds City Council working with ex-offenders; Tyneside Cyrenians and Newcastle City Council working with ex-offenders and people with mental health problems; and St Basils and Birmingham City Council working with young people who have been in care.
Disabled children: the right to feel safe
- Author:
- MEPHAM Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Child Care in Practice, 16(1), January 2010, pp.19-34.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) outlines every child’s right to a safe, happy and fulfilled childhood, free from bullying, harassment and abuse. This article explores the UNCRC as it relates to disabled children, and proposes that, 20 years since the UNCRC, disabled children are still facing barriers to securing this right. Focusing on 2008 Mencap research that shows a very high occurrence of bullying of children and young people with a learning disability (double the average rate), and how measures to prevent and tackle bullying are hindered by a lack of compliance around new legal duties on schools to eliminate the discrimination and harassment of disabled people, the author links the high frequency of bullying with the similarly high rate of abuse of disabled children, and proposes that these should be considered within the context of a safeguarding continuum. The author argues that the UK government should respond to a 2008 report of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and ensure the legislation providing protection for persons with disabilities is effectively implemented, and furthermore, an increased priority must be given to the inclusion of disabled children in society in order to reduce their marginalisation and consequent vulnerability to bullying, harassment and abuse.
Understanding and promoting access for people with learning difficulties: seeing the opportunities and challenges of risk
- Editors:
- SEALE Jane, NIND Melanie, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 190p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The issue of access is at the forefront of the practical challenges facing people with learning disabilities and people working with or supporting them. This text brings together evidence, narratives and discussions that question and advance our understanding of the concept of access for people with learning disabilities. The authors draw on their experience to analyse a wide range of situations, including access to public spaces, citizenship education, community participation, and employment. Through a series of related chapters, key researchers in the field of inclusion and learning disabilities explore the concept of access in relation to a wide variety of topics including: accessible information; public buildings and spaces; heritage sites; citizenship education; advocacy; social networks; health care; employment; and, relationships . Proposing a re-conceptualisation of the risk associated with promoting access for people with learning disabilities, this book will be of interest to students, researchers and professionals involved in inclusion and disability issues.