Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Moving to inclusion
- Authors:
- BATES Peter, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, April 2006, pp.16-18.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
People who have mental health issues or learning difficulties tend to spend a lot of time in segregated places when, in general, services should be helping them move more into places used by everyone, and to get involved in activities open to everyone. The National Development Team had developed an 'inclusion traffic lights' system to help staff think about what they are doing now, and how they could support service users towards greater social inclusion. This article describes the model and then shows how it had been used by day services.
Psychosocial factors affecting adults with intellectual disabilities with psychiatric disorders in Cali, Colombia
- Authors:
- VERDUGO Miguel Angel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 6(3), September 2009, pp.173-179.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The objective of this study was to describe the psychosocial factors associated with the comorbidity between intellectual disability (ID) and psychiatric disorder of adults in the city of Cali, Colombia. Subjects were 50 dyads consisting of a carer and a person with ID. The Caregivers Questionnaire and the Integral Quality of Life Scale were adapted for use in the study. The analysis of information was based on three factors: person, family, and society. In the case of the personal factor, an adequate level of physical well-being and a good level of self-care were found in more than 60% of the adults with dual diagnosis, good adherence to treatment in 82%, and medium satisfaction in the individual-context relationship in 54%. With regard to the family factor, a high level of satisfaction of needs (84%) was found. Good family functioning was observed in 86%, while family participation in rehabilitation was reported to be between moderate and deficient in 60% of the cases. With respect to the social factor, cases of support between moderate and deficient were found in 68%, and a regular inclusion was observed in 48%. The authors conclude that the family functioning aspect appeared as the major protective factor, while the inclusion and social support were shown as the main risk factors.
Political engagement in the 2019 UK general election of patients with autism and/or a learning disability detained in a psychiatric hospital
- Author:
- ARMSTRONG Richard
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 26(2), 2021, pp.77-86.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This case study aims to describe how patients with autism and/or a learning disability detained in a psychiatric hospital were supported to register and vote in the 2019 UK general election. Design/methodology/approach: A speech and language therapist supported patients to register and vote. Data on the number of patients who registered and voted are reported as well as feedback from patients about their experiences. Findings: Forty-two per cent of patients registered to vote; 27% did not want to register; and 31% could not understand the information provided and/or state a clear preference because of the severity of their cognitive and communication difficulties. Fifteen per cent of patients voted and were all first-time voters. Originality/value: This study demonstrates that it is possible to support significant numbers of autistic and learning disabled patients in a psychiatric hospital to register for and vote in a parliamentary election. (Edited publisher abstract)
If the support's right, she's right: an evaluation of Partners for Inclusion
- Author:
- MACINTYRE Gillian
- Publisher:
- Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 58p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
Partners for Inclusion is a voluntary organisation that provides support for adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems. It has adopted a person-centred approach to supporting people with ‘high’ or ‘complex’ support needs in order to provide services based on individual needs, wants and desires. This report presents the findings of an evaluation aiming to measure the progress made in the 4 years since the service was last evaluated. Specifically, it aimed to address: whether people are living the life they choose; whether people are living in the place that makes sense for them now; in what ways people’s lives have changed since receiving a service from Partners for Inclusion; and the experiences of staff who work for Partners for Inclusion. The research included a total of 50 interviews with individuals who receive services, support staff, family members, friends, and other professionals. The findings show that, for some people, lives have changed in significant ways since receiving support from Partners for Inclusion. However, further work is needed in areas of social inclusion, such as participating in education and employment. In common with other person-centred organisations, the staff often experience lone working with a resultant reduction in collegial support. A number of recommendations are provided in the areas of: personalisation; creating opportunities; and organisational capacity.
Resettling prisoners with mental health needs or a learning disability
- Author:
- NACRO
- Publisher:
- NACRO
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 80p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The successful resettlement of offenders is vital in order to reduce both reoffending and social exclusion. Yet meeting the often complex resettlement needs of offenders with a mental health problem or learning disability can be extremely challenging. This guide aims to give practitioners from a range of agencies and organisations a thorough understanding of resettlement issues and interventions so they can better help members of this group to successfully reintegrate into the community following release from custody. The guide seeks to emphasise that resettlement is not an abstract notion, but something which should be undertaken in consultation with the offender. The chapters of the guide mirror the reducing reoffending pathways laid down in the government's Reducing Reoffending National Action Plan looking at: accommodation; education, training and employment; accessing mental healthcare or learning disability services; drugs and alcohol; benefits, finance and debts; families and children; and attitudes, thinking and behaviour. The guide sets out good practice and guidance, as well as identifying a number of useful organisations which can assist further with the task.
Conceptualizing community: a comparison of neighborhood characteristics of supportive housing for persons with psychiatric and developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- WONG Yin-Ling Irene, STANHOPE Victoria
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 68(8), April 2009, pp.1376-1387.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This cross-field study compares the neighbourhood characteristics of publicly-funded housing for people with developmental disabilities (DD) and people with psychiatric problems in a metropolitan community. The aim of the study was to examine whether the contrasting housing approaches are reflected at an ecological level and to consider how these findings relate to the goal of community integration for people with PD and DD. Administrative databases provided residential addresses of 1932 residents with PD living in 297 locations and 1716 residents with DD living in 749 locations in the city of Philadelphia. The 2000 U.S. Census and city's police department database provided information on neighbourhood characteristics. Geographic information system (GIS) methodology generated maps displaying the distribution of housing locations in relation to spatial dispersion, distress, stability, safety, and race/ethnic diversity. Statistical analyses compared neighbourhood characteristics of the DD and PD populations. Findings indicated that the DD population in supportive housing was more spatially dispersed, and lived in less distressed, less unstable, more secure, but equally racially/ethnically diverse neighbourhoods when compared to the PD population in supportive housing. Greater geographic dispersal among persons with DD may be the result of more emphasis on normalization within policies and programs determining the location of their housing. The higher funding levels for housing and residential support for persons with DD also provided programs with the option of placing people in higher income neighbourhoods. Given that community integration has emerged as an organizing principle within mental health services over other models, policymakers in the field of psychiatric disabilities may have much to learn from the normalization movement for people with developmental disabilities.
Effect of the connecting people intervention on social capital: a pilot study
- Authors:
- WEBBER Martin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 29(5), 2019, pp.483-494.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Objective: This pilot study evaluated the effect of the Connecting People Intervention (CPI) on access to social capital, social inclusion, and mental well-being. Method: A prospective one-group pretest–posttest preexperimental study of 155 people with a mental health problem or a learning disability receiving care and support from health and social care practitioners trained in the CPI was used. Results: Participants exposed to practice with high fidelity to the CPI model had significantly higher access to social capital (p = .03, partial η2 = .05) and perceived social inclusion (p = .01, partial η2 = .07), and lower service costs (−£1,331, 95% confidence interval = [−£69, −£2593]), posttest than those exposed to low fidelity to the model. All participants had significantly higher mental well-being posttest (p < .001). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that when fully implemented, the CPI can improve social outcomes for people with a mental health problem or learning disability. (Edited publisher abstract)
Tools for inclusive activation: improving the social inclusion of people furthest from the labour market
- Author:
- EUROPEAN SOCIAL NETWORK
- Publisher:
- European Social Network
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 51
- Place of publication:
- Brussels
This toolkit for senior social services professionals provides guidance and practice examples on inclusion strategies of people furthest from the labour market. These include the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, young people, migrants and refugees, homeless people, people with mental illness or single parents. It is based on the findings from a literature review and a questionnaire focus group discussion from members of the Social European Network. Drawing on an analysis of the literature, a questionnaire and seminar discussion with members of the Social European Network, the toolkit covers three key areas of guidance when designing inclusive activation policy and practice. These are: coordination between services - which could involve care coordinators, On-stop-shops or public-private partnerships; availability and adequacy of resources; and designing pathways to inclusion for specific groups who are not immediately employable and need tailored support to integrate in the labour market. These populations include the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, young people, migrants and refugees, homeless people or people suffering from mental illness, and single parents with caring duties. Practice examples include the Disability and vulnerable people employment strategy implemented in Gloucestershire County Council in the United Kingdom. (Edited publisher abstract)
The effects of social and therapeutic horticulture on aspects of social behaviour
- Authors:
- SEMPIK Joe, RICKHUSS Cathy, BEESTON Alex
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(6), 2014, pp.313-319.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction: Social and therapeutic horticulture has been shown to be a useful intervention for a wide range of vulnerable groups, including those with a mental health problem and/or learning or physical disabilities. However, there is still a need for additional research that examines evidence of its effectiveness. Method: This study analysed scores in four areas (social interaction, communication, motivation, and task engagement) collected as part of routine assessment during a programme of social and therapeutic horticulture. The sample comprised a heterogeneous group of participants and included a range of vulnerable people, predominantly those with a learning disability or a mental health problem. Findings: Scores for social interaction were significantly higher after 90 days of participation. This effect appeared to be most evident in participants with a learning disability. Conclusion: Social and therapeutic horticulture provides the opportunity for social interaction. Increased scores relating to social interaction suggest that the programme was effective in promoting such interaction and that it may, therefore, promote social inclusion among vulnerable and isolated groups. (Publisher abstract)
Choice and control: the right to independent living: experiences of persons with intellectual disabilities and persons with mental health problems in nine EU member states
- Author:
- EUROPEAN UNION AGENCY FOR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
- Publisher:
- Publications Office of the European Union
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 84p.
- Place of publication:
- Luxembourg
Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) sets out the right to live independently and be included in the community. The aim of this report is to examine how persons with intellectual disabilities and persons with mental health problems in 9 EU Member States experience autonomy, inclusion and participation in their day-to-day lives. It also provides some examples of promising practices. The report draws on the findings of interview-based research (one-to-one and focus groups interviews) with persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities carried out between November 2010 and July 2011 in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The results show that, although much has been done, more efforts are needed to ensure that persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities have more choice and control over their lives and are included in the community on an equal basis with others. Most efforts to date have focused on deinstitutionalisation, but to achieve true independent living they should be accompanied by a range of social policy reforms in the areas of education, healthcare, employment, culture and support services.