Search results for ‘Subject term:"physical disabilities"’ Sort:
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Quality in services for disabled children and their families: what can theory, policy and research on children's and parents' views tell us?
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Wendy, SLOPER Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Society, 15(4), September 2001, pp.237-252.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article seeks to define 'quality' in services for disabled children and their families. Theoretical models are initially reviewed and then considered in relation to key policy guidelines, empirical data drawing upon parents' and children's experiences of 'quality' in services are presented. Demonstrates the many different levels within the concept of 'quality' and highlights the importance of recognising and respecting that children and parents frequently value different aspects of 'quality'.
Taking on choice and control in personal care and support: the experiences of physically disabled young adults
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Wendy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 17(4), 2017, pp.413-433.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article reports physically disabled young adults’ experiences of self-directed care. The study carried conducted semi-structured interviews with young adults aged 19-29 years with a range of congenital and acquired impairments. The results found many aspects of interviewees’ experiences of self-directed care appeared to be influenced by their limited life experience, the fact they are still developing life-skills and are a minority group within adult social care. Interviewees identified their lack of life experience and self-confidence as making them cautious in assuming responsibility for their care arrangements and, typically, their desire for on-going parental support. They also believed their age and life stage contributed to difficulties managing carers and PAs. Preferences around characteristics of carers/PAs were influenced by their age and desire to integrate into mainstream activities. Information provided by statutory services did not (fully) acknowledge that some users were young adults. Compared to other physically disabled users of adult social care, young adults’ under-developed life-skills and lack of life experience influences their experiences as users, and the support they needed to assume control of their care arrangements. Tailored information and support for this ‘minority group’ is required. (Edited publisher abstract)
Taking on and taking over: choice and control for physically disabled young adults
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Wendy, et al
- Publisher:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 4
- Place of publication:
- London
Summarises the findings of a study on approaches to supporting physically disabled young adults to achieve their preferred levels of control over care and support arrangements. The study took place between July 2012 and January 2014 and involved semi-structured interviews with young adults, parents and social care professionals. It examined physically disabled young adults experiences of managing their care and support arrangements and explored how they can be better supported. Key findings and practice implications are included. While welcoming the opportunities afforded by personalised approaches within adult social care, almost all the young adults described feeling daunted by the associated responsibilities, with managing personal assistants/carers consistently identified as the most difficult aspect of having a Direct Payment. Young adults found information from statutory services was typically targeted at other audiences, for example, older people and only a minority believed transition planning/support services had played a significant role in preparing them for taking on a Personal Budget. Social workers with more experience of working with young adults identified specific issues that need to be accommodated including: young adults’ relative lack of life skills and experience; young adults’ preferences regarding parental involvement; and addressing parents’ support needs. (Edited publisher abstract)
Quality indicators: disabled children's and parents' prioritisations and experiences of quality criteria when using different types of support services
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Wendy, SLOPER Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 33(8), December 2003, pp.1063-1080.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Current health and social care policy seeks to develop and refine standards of service quality. However, policies have so far largely focused upon statistically based service output indicators. Recognizing the importance and yet limitations of this, especially in services for disabled children and their families, this paper draws upon qualitative and quantitative data to explore indicators that are meaningful and relevant to disabled children and their families. Results demonstrate the need to look beyond a generic family-based perception of service quality, as children and parents value different aspects of service quality and prioritize different indicators when using different types of services. Although some indicators are regarded as 'core' quality indicators, irrespective of service type, others are only prioritized for specific types of services.
Information that informs rather than alienates families with disabled children developing a model of good practice
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Wendy, SLOPER Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 10(2), March 2002, pp.74-81.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The provision of information and the importance of keeping families informed is frequently viewed as a significant factor within both the concept of empowerment and the facilitation of enabling and participatory processes for service users and their families. This article looks at how parents would like to receive this information and also discusses the empowering potential of user-friendly information. The article draws on data collected from a focus group discussions with parents caring for children with a range of disabilities or chronic illness. In particular it examines the criteria by which parents judge the quality of information and their ideas as to what constitutes good practice, especially in terms of how information is presented, its content and the way it is delivered. Using these ideas and criteria, the paper begins to develop a model of good information practice that is both three-dimensional and personally interactive.
Leaving school special: the next step and future aspirations
- Author:
- MITCHELL Wendy
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 14(6), November 1999, pp.753-769.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper focuses upon the transition experiences of disabled young people, a group frequently hidden within discussions of 'youth'. It initially discusses young people's next educational/vocational step after school leaving in relation to the traditional idea of a school to work transition. Taking a broader approach the paper then focuses on the complex concept of a more independent 'adult' status from the perspective of the study's young people and their parents/carers.
User-friendly information for families with disabled children: a guide to good practice
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Wendy, SLOPER Patricia
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 54p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Report of a project which worked with parents of disabled children and practitioners to draw up criteria for good information provision. These criteria were then used by parents to judge current examples of information, in order to define a model of good practice. Begins with a discussion of research on families' information needs and current policy. The standards for information developed by project participants are then explained with reference to issues of presentation, content, delivery and organisation. Individual information sources, verbal, written and audio-visual, were then appraised and examples of good practice highlighted.