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Disabled children and young people in out-of-home-care: summary report
- Authors:
- KELLY Berni, DOWLING Sandra, WINTER Karen
- Publishers:
- Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland. Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 68
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This report summarises the key findings of an Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) funded study to examine the over-representation of disabled children and young people in out-of-home care in Northern Ireland (NI). It summarises the findings of a review of literature on out-of-home care for disabled children and young people and looks at the demographic profile of disabled children in out-of-home care, those fully looked after and those looked after for short breaks. Drawing on the findings of interviews and analysis of case files, it presents findings on the needs and experiences of fully looked after disabled children, as well as the views of their birth parents, carers and social workers. The research found evidence of good professional practice, including examples of partnerships with families and integrated working. Areas identified for development and improvement include: early intervention and family support; investment in relationships and support whilst in care; inequality in services access, for example CAMHS; investment in a broader range of placement options and increased opportunity for permanence; improvement in multi-disciplinary and multi-sector working; promoting children's participation in services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Wearable devices to support rehabilitation and social care
- Authors:
- DOUGHTY Kevin, APPLEBY Alistair
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Assistive Technologies, 10(1), 2016, pp.51-63.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper provides a review of the use of wearable technologies that focuses on applications that tackle sensory and communication deficits, physical disabilities and alarm and activity monitoring. It is intended to promote the introduction of more wearable approaches to providing assistive technologies because of their benefits in utilisation and aesthetic appeal. Design/methodology/approach: The approach involves a comparison of different types of portable device in order to identify different groups that may be beneficial to different application areas. Recent advances are then considered for each area. Findings: The work demonstrates that the use of wearable AT device is increasing due to improvements in materials, battery power and connected intelligence such as smartphones. They will allow new devices to be introduced that are smaller, lighter and more usable. Originality/value: The paper's value lies in encouraging manufacturers and designers to use wearable approaches to solving some of the problems facing vulnerable people. (Edited publisher abstract)
Making choices: adoption seekers’ preferences and available children with special needs
- Authors:
- BURGE Philip, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Child Welfare, 10(1), 2016, pp.1-20.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This pilot study on the child profile preferences of 5830 adults registered with province-wide adoption agency in Canada found that those who were most open to considering children with special needs had been formally seeking to adopt for some time and had completed government-required SAFE assessments and training. Most preferred younger children, and half would consider sibling groups. Between 43% to 60% indicated willingness to consider adopting children with degrees of learning disabilities, emotional behavioural disorders, and physical disabilities, although the willing proportion decreased as the level of each disability's specified impact progressed from "mild" to "moderate" to "severe." Most preferred, among 20 categories of available children's possible exposures and health diagnoses, were past abuse exposures versus diagnosed disabilities or enduring conditions. Possible explanations for these findings and their implications are explored and ideas for further research proposed. (Edited publisher abstract)
The Right Help at the Right Time for Children with Disabilities in Newport: findings from an evaluation of the Children with Additional Needs Service
- Author:
- OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY. Institute of Public Care
- Publisher:
- Oxford Brookes University. Institute of Public Care
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 6
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
Families of children with disabilities in the UK, in particular children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), often find it hard to access sufficiently specific parenting or family support before problems reach a crisis stage. This paper reports on an innovative service provided in partnership between Newport City Council and Barnardo’s which aims to provide a holistic and evidence based response to the needs of children with a cognitive or physical impairment and their families just below traditional thresholds for a statutory Social Worker-led planKey features of the service include: holistic preventative service including Team around the Family (TAF) element delivered by family support workers; focussing on maximising child potential and assisting with effective parenting; and support for families individually in their own homes and via specialist group-based programmes. The paper provides a brief overview of the services and outlines the key strengths of the CANs intervention. It also provides key findings of an evaluation of the service which found that CANS is working effectively with children and families with a range of needs from providing early help through to support for complex needs. (Edited publisher abstract)