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Does supported living work for people with severe intellectual disabilities?
- Authors:
- MARLOW Elizabeth, WALKER Nina
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 9(6), 2015, pp.338-351.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to look at whether a move to a supported living model of care from traditional residential group homes could improve the quality of life for those with a severe intellectual disability and other challenging needs. Design/methodology/approach: Six men with severe intellectual disabilities moved from two residential homes into new-build individual flats. Their quality of life was measured using a battery of assessments looking at; environment, relationships, community participation, interactions, mood interest and pleasure, activities, physical health and challenging behaviour. These measures were taken before the move, immediately after and six months after the move. The views of staff and family carers were also assessed at each stage. Findings: The move had a positive effect on the tenants in that it caused an improvement in their mood and a decrease in their challenging behaviours. Further improvements could be made in the tenant’s quality of life by introducing more activities. The initial concerns of family members about the move decreased over time. However staff found the changes to their working practices stressful. Research limitations/implications: The study was a small scale one because of the small number of tenants. The tenants were unable to express their own views because of their limited communication abilities so a combination of direct observation and indirect measures were used. Practical implications: In the light of the Winterbourne view report by Stephen Bubb this study looks at the impact on quality of life of a move to supported living for a group of people with complex and challenging needs who might otherwise be placed in an out of borough placement similar to Winterbourne view. Social implications: The study also looks at the impact of such a move on the family members of the individuals and on the staff who had to change their working practices to adapt to both a new working environment and model of care. Originality/value: This study also looks at the impact of a model of supported living for people with severe intellectual disabilities and complex needs rather than those with mild intellectual disabilities. This is particularly important in the post Winterbourne view climate when the authors need to look carefully at positive alternative models of care for these individuals. (Publisher abstract)
The personal touch
- Authors:
- ELLIS Roger, HOGARD Elaine
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 15(2), March/April 2015, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
An evaluation of has found that Choice Support's personalisation programme to support adults with learning disabilities has delivered better lives for adults with learning disabilities while saving £1.79 million. The evaluation found a number of initiatives had developed through the programme, including Individual Care Plans, Individual Service Funds (ISFs), personal support workers and an improved night support scheme. The evaluation also found positive views on the programme from support workers, parents and social service staff (Edited publisher abstract)
'You have to care:' perceptions of promoting autonomy in support settings for adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- PETNER-ARREY Jami, COPELAND Susan R.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(1), 2015, pp.38-48.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study from the south-western United States investigated the perceptions of persons with intellectual disability receiving support and the perceptions of people providing support regarding the autonomy of people with intellectual disability. The participants included 10 people with intellectual disability and 10 support workers. Through interviews, this qualitative investigation examined the challenges for support workers and people with intellectual disability in promoting autonomy and the role of caring in support of autonomy. Analysis of participant interviews revealed that support workers and people with intellectual disability faced challenges that restricted the promotion of the autonomy of people with intellectual disability. Although people with intellectual disabilities knew what they wanted, support workers sometimes found it hard to know what people with intellectual disabilities wanted and how they could help them get what they wanted. Support workers also felt some of the rules at their jobs made it hard to help people with intellectual disabilities to do what they wanted. Both groups of participants noted that support workers had to care about their work with individuals with intellectual disability to effectively promote their autonomy. (Edited publisher abstract)
A serious case review: James
- Authors:
- FLYNN Margaret, ELEY Ruth
- Publisher:
- Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 53
- Place of publication:
- Ipswich
Serous case review of Richard Handley, referred to as ‘James’, a 33 year old adult with Down’s syndrome and a moderate learning disability who was also diagnosed with a mental illness and hypothyroidism. He had lifelong problems with constipation. He lived in a Supported Living scheme, Goshawk Close, run by United Response. On 14 November 2012 he was admitted to Ipswich Hospital and following a surgical procedure under anaesthetic to remove impacted faeces, he died in hospital on 17 November 2012. Failings identified in the review include: poor monitoring of physical health needs; a lack of understanding about the use of the Mental Capacity Act; no specific arrangements for the supported living scheme to obtain support from specialist learning disabilities services; and lack of a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting physical and mental health needs. Recommendations include: named care coordinators for adults with learning disabilities and complex support needs; an annual review of health and social care needs; and ensuring services providing care to people with complex support needs have explicit access arrangements with NHS providers such as Community Learning Disability Teams. (Original abstract)
A serious case review: Amy
- Authors:
- FLYNN Margaret, ELEY Ruth
- Publisher:
- Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 55
- Place of publication:
- Ipswich
Serious case review of Amy, a woman with learning disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and known bowel problems, who died aged 52. She lived in a Supported Living scheme, Crane Court, run by Leading Lives. Amy was subject two safeguarding referrals, the first due concerns about supported living staff’s understanding of Amy’s health care needs discharge and the second following her discharge from hospital which took place without apparent full investigation or consideration of her health problems. Following her discharge from hospital Amy’s condition deteriorated and she died in hospital on 7 May 2013. Recommendations include: named care coordinators for adults with learning disabilities and complex support needs; an annual review of health and social care needs; and ensuring services which are providing care to people with complex support needs have explicit access arrangements with NHS providers such as Community Learning Disability Teams. (Edited publisher abstract)
The heart of the matter
- Author:
- PARTON Dan
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 15(3), May/June 2015, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The Ridgeway, a supported living service for four young people with a range of physical and learning disabilities, was rated 'outstanding by the Care Quality Commission under the CQC's new inspection system. The article looks some of the factors that contribute to the success of the service which aims to put the people it supports at the heart of everything it does: supporting its residents to find employment; planning goals with residents and their families; matching staff and residents who have similar interests; involving residents in the induction of new staff. (Edited publisher abstract)