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Young people's and carers' perspectives on the mental health needs of looked-after adolescents
- Author:
- STANLEY Nicky
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Family Social Work, 12(3), August 2007, p.258–267.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
While the mental health needs of looked-after young people have been described in a number of clinical studies, the views of looked-after adolescents themselves concerning their mental health needs have only rarely been reported. This study used focus groups to elicit the ideas and experiences of looked-after young people in two local authorities in England. Front-line carers in the region were also surveyed. Young people and carers were agreed in highlighting the damaging effects of the discontinuity and change experienced in the looked-after system. Young people emphasized the importance of exercising choice and control when seeking and receiving support and identified the value of positive role models provided by ‘survivors’ of the care system. Carers reported high levels of risk behaviour, particularly self-harm, among young people in children's homes. These differing perspectives need to be openly acknowledged and negotiated within care settings in order that relevant and accessible therapeutic and support services can be offered to looked-after adolescents.
Experiences of social work intervention among mothers with perinatal mental health needs
- Authors:
- TAYLOR Billie Lever, MOSSE Liberty, STANLEY Nicky
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(6), 2019, pp.1586-1596.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Perinatal mental health difficulties are prevalent among women, and the vulnerability of young infants makes this a time when families experiencing multiple adversities may be particularly likely to attract state intervention. However, very little is known about how mothers experience social work intervention during the perinatal period. This study explored experiences of social work intervention among women with perinatal mental health difficulties. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 18 women with 6‐ to 9‐month‐old babies, who had been treated in England for a perinatal mental health difficulty and also had social services intervention. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings suggested that mothers had a predominantly negative view of children's social services, especially when social workers had significant child protection concerns. The fear of being judged an unfit mother and having their babies taken away overshadowed their encounters. Mothers felt that social workers would not accept they could be good mothers in spite of their difficulties and set them up to fail. Some felt that social workers focused exclusively on the risks to the baby and did not acknowledge the mother's own needs or understand perinatal mental health. In some cases, social work intervention was described as intensifying pressure on mothers’ mental health, leading to escalating difficulties and increased likelihood of care proceedings. At the same time, this study also included examples of mothers forming positive relationships with social workers, and of ‘turning points’ where initially negative interactions stabilised and child protection concerns lessened. Women's accounts highlighted the importance of feeling ‘known’ by social workers who understood and respected them. The findings also suggested there may be value in improving collaboration between social workers and mental health professionals to create more space for representation of women's needs as well as those of their babies. (Edited publisher abstract)
Disclosing disability in the context of professional regulation: a qualitative UK study
- Authors:
- STANLEY Nicky, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 26(1), January 2011, pp.19-32.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In the UK ‘Fitness to Practice’ has been used as a key screening criteria by regulatory bodies for entry into professions such as teaching, nursing and social work. Disclosure of disability is therefore a risky process for those aiming to practice or train in these professions. The research reported here was commissioned to inform the Disability Rights Commission’s Formal Investigation into fitness standards in the professions. In 2006-07 thirty eight practitioners and 22 students throughout England, Scotland and Wales, from the nursing, teaching and social work professions participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of disability disclosure. Of the participants, 47 were women. They had a range of disabilities, most of which were hidden; 30, including 17 students, had been disabled at entry to the profession, 28 had been disabled at a later stage and 2 were recently disabled. Participants from all three professional groups considered that disclosure of disability was likely to have the effect of excluding them from a professional training programme or post. Disclosing mental health needs was considered particularly likely to have this effect. However, most participants had disclosed their disabilities to some extent. Twenty three practitioners and 17 students reported receiving adjustments or accommodations following disclosure. Change in attitudes among colleagues was another key outcome. Participants varied in their knowledge and understanding of the fitness standards for their profession. The study concluded that abolishing health standards for the professions would increase disability disclosure and decrease the stigma associated with disability.