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Expectations of Greek parents about employment opportunities for their child with learning disabilities: implications for social workers
- Authors:
- ARONI Despoina, HEGARTY John, PHILALITHIS Anastas
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 27(4), 2013, pp.357-373.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A survey was carried out in Heraklion, Crete, to determine the expectations on employment of all parents who had a child with learning disabilities (LDs) between the age of 14 and 45 years, living with them and having participated in some educational or vocational programme for at least 1 year. From the 310 families, which fulfilled the criteria for admission in the current study, 176 families participated. The research method chosen was a structured interview. The results demonstrated that parents expected their LD child not to work or to work in a sheltered workshop whereas, ideally, most parents wanted some form of competitive employment for their children. The findings suggest that social workers and other professionals should inform parents more positively about the potential abilities of their children and emphasise the importance of a job for all parties involved. (Publisher abstract)
Comparing local and national service systems in social care Europe: framework and findings from the STEPS anti-discrimination learning disability project
- Authors:
- CAMBRIDGE Paul, ERNST Anne
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 9(3), September 2006, pp.279-303.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper outlines the methodology and findings of a cross-national comparison of social care services for people with learning disabilities in Europe, developed from the EU funded STEPS anti-discrimination project. The comparative framework developed for the project is profiled and summary findings are organised into thematic dimensions. Wide variations in service organisation were evident, providing particular challenges for those involved in cross-national research or social work practice. Key variation was evident between local and national systems, the varying impact of generic and specialist community care and the degree of individualisation in services, with various structural, funding and policy barriers to integrated social work and ongoing de-institutionalisation evident. Development priorities for inclusive and anti-discriminatory practice included individual funding and planning, self-advocacy and user involvement in quality management.