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Crash: what went wrong at Winterbourne View?
- Author:
- OAKES Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 16(3), September 2012, pp.155-162.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
In 2011 a ‘Panorama’ television documentary raised the profile of unacceptable practice and indeed criminal abuse following the undercover filming of outrageous acts of cruelty in an independent hospital called Winterbourne View. This editorial represents a year of reflection on these events and the consistent failure to maintain minimum standards in services and supports for people with learning disabilities. It focuses on the events at Winterbourne View and sees them as a crash at the end of a journey that was strangely inevitable. It considers how people with intellectual disabilities become powerless and vulnerable to abuse. A small number of people got caught up in the horrifying events at Winterbourne View but it could have been any service for people who find themselves marginalised and disempowered. The article concludes by calling on everyone to reflect on what they need to do to prevent events like this from happening.
What does vulnerability mean?
- Author:
- PARLEY Fiona F.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(4), December 2011, pp.266-276.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The protection of vulnerable adults has, over the last decade, received increasing attention. This paper investigated the views of 20 Scottish care staff relating to vulnerability and abuse of adults with learning disability. Using semi-structured interview informants perspectives were explored. Whilst the precise definition of vulnerability was hard to determine, the results revealed that most informants felt that people with learning disabilities were all vulnerable and that this definition gave staff the authority to take protective measures to ensure their safety. This desire to introduce protective measures however may result in people with learning disabilities being denied the right to self-determination, thereby limiting their enjoyment of some life experiences and lessening the excitement of life that others take for granted. The article concludes that a more consistent definition of vulnerability, across policy and practice would be beneficial.
Are we Valuing People's choices now? restrictions to mundane choices made by adults with learning difficulties
- Author:
- HOLLOMOTZ Andrea
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 44(2), 2014, pp.234-251.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
In the UK, Valuing People ( Department of Health, 2001, 2010b) has shaped services for people with learning difficulties for the past decade. Promoting choices and independence are two of the four key principles that underpin this White Paper and its subsequent delivery plans. This paper assesses the impact that these changes had on the availability of mundane choices. It draws on empirical evidence from interviews with adults with learning difficulties. First impressions of the findings indicate that individuals are indeed able to make an increased range of decisions. At closer inspection, it does however become apparent that not all of these decisions are based on an infinite spectrum of options. Under the guise of choice-based policy rhetoric, some people with learning difficulties are at times presented with a pre-arranged ‘menu of choices’. For instance, a person may be free to choose activities at their day centre, but they may have limited control when deciding whether to attend the service in the first place. The wider implications that tokenistic choice-making processes have for the development of personal autonomy are highlighted. It is argued that a lack of control in respect to mundane choices is disempowering and leads to learned passivity. (Publisher abstract)
Proposals for a 'Mental Incapacity Bill' to provide additional safeguards to vulnerable adults
- Author:
- DIESFELD Kate
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 1(2), April 1996, pp.34-37.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Although the Registered Homes Act 1984 provides some protection for people with learning disabilities living in registered homes, the Law Commission has identified the need for further safeguards. A draft Parliamentary Bill has been drawn up but as yet there are no plans to enact it. Using case studies, this article provides an analysis of Sections 36-44 of the Mental Incapacity Bill as it affects public law protection for people with learning difficulties who live in community settings. Asks whether we need any more protective legislation?
Learning difficulties and sexual vulnerability: a social approach
- Author:
- HOLLOMOTZ Andrea
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 176p.
- Place of publication:
- London
People with learning difficulties are said to be considerably more likely to experience sexual violence than those without, and for this reason they are often described as 'vulnerable'. However, the author believes that the use of this label can in fact increase risk. She argues that the act of treating adults with learning difficulties as 'vulnerable' and in need of protection strips them of their autonomy and leaves them with fewer of the skills they need to protect themselves from harm. Actions, such as segregation and over-protection, can increase 'vulnerability'. The book examines a range of social processes, including sex education, self-determination, friendships, sexual relationships and social inclusion, and examines the risks and benefits associated with each. Drawing on the everyday experiences of 29 adults, the author illustrates how people with learning difficulties can be capable of safeguarding themselves from harm. Suggestions are included for enabling them to become better equipped at managing risk themselves. The book is aimed at practitioners working with people with learning difficulties, as well as students and academics in the fields of disability and social work.
Adults with a learning disability living with elderly carers talk about planning for the future: aspirations and concerns
- Authors:
- BOWEY Laura, McGLAUGHLIN Alex
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 35(8), December 2005, pp.1377-1392.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The majority of adults with a learning disability live with family carers, many of whom are ageing and have support needs of their own. Planning for the future thus becomes the key to preventing a crisis situation when family care is no longer viable because of death or ill health. Existing knowledge and practice are largely based upon the perspective of professionals and carers. This study explores the views, aspirations and concerns of adults with a learning disability, about living at home and planning for the future. Findings show that participants were very aware of the need for alternative housing or support in the future and had clear preferences about their future options. However, they also showed extensive concern for their family carers and this often impacted on their willingness to plan for the future or to move to alternative housing. Their demonstrable awareness of the inevitable death or ill health of family carers, and willingness to engage with the implications, emphasize the importance of involving adults with a learning disability in planning for their future, as well as providing them with bereavement support.
Protective behaviours: a useful approach in working with people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- HARPER Glynis, HOPKINSON Peter
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30(4), December 2002, pp.149-152.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The purpose of this article is to examine the concept of 'protective behaviours' (PBs). Working with children who had been abused, researchers recognised that the need to 'feel safe' was fundamental to personal growth and development. Identifying and addressing the children's need to feel safe, increased feelings of empowerment, control, and self-worth; and decreased the likelihood of their becoming victims of future abuse.
Speaking to power: advocacy for health and social care
- Author:
- DONNISON David
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 165p.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
This book is for anyone working, or planning to work, as an advocate for people who need help dealing with public services. It is based on the experiences of advocates and uses case studies from Scotland. Examples of advocacy for both individuals and groups are described and discussed. There are chapters on what advocates do, how advocacy fits into the broader scheme of things and management, training and evaluation of the work. Contents include: origins of advocacy; Scotland gives a lead; what advocates do - their main clients; what advocates do - questions and dilemmas; setting up an advocacy project and running it; volunteers; making advocacy accountable; roadblocks; looking ahead.
Leadership and change in human services: selected readings
- Author:
- WOLFENSBERGER Wolf
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 272p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Wolf Wolfensberger is a significant figure in the world of human services, especially in the field of learning disability. His work on normalization and citizen advocacy in the late 1960s and early 1970s has been acknowledged by supporters and critics alike to have been fundamental to developments in a number of countries, most notably the USA. Canada, Australasia and the UK. The term citizen advocacy was coined in the 1970's by Wolfensberger, who believed that people in institutional care needed independent representation by people in their communities if they were ever going to experience normal living. His further work in developing the theory of social role valorization, the successor to normalisation, and as a commentator on broader trends in society and their effects on vulnerable people and services for them have ensured his place as a major voice for values and the human worth of all people.
Quality living
- Author:
- GEORGE Mike
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 6.6.96, 1996, pp.30-31.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Describes how one social worker trod the fine line between respecting a client's wish to live independently while making sure that the move would not put him seriously at risk.