Based in the east of England, CREDO east is a charitable organisation that works with teenagers who have multiple impairments and who require high levels of support to live their lives as they wish. The author was commissioned by CREDO east to evaluate their work in order to inform future planning. The research centred on four young people, all of whom had Circles of Support initiated and facilitated by CREDO east. Most of them also participated in CREDO east’s community activities and events. Data were gathered through interviews with three of the young people, family members, and Circle members, some of whom were also involved professionals. Questionnaires were also sent to professionals to obtain their views more generally on the work of CREDO east and its impact. Responses were overwhelmingly positive. CREDO east was said to have given young people and families a voice, opened up a range of opportunities for young people and their families, and developed community support networks that are powerful, creative and sustainable. Young people and family members valued CREDO east’s independence very highly. Professionals were also very positive about CREDO east and its work although they reported that there were sometimes tensions between the work of CREDO east and budgetary and procedural constraints that they themselves experienced. The author concludes that in the future CREDO east should continue to develop personalised initiatives while also expanding their capacity to engage more significantly with services, professionals and larger numbers of service users.
Based in the east of England, CREDO east is a charitable organisation that works with teenagers who have multiple impairments and who require high levels of support to live their lives as they wish. The author was commissioned by CREDO east to evaluate their work in order to inform future planning. The research centred on four young people, all of whom had Circles of Support initiated and facilitated by CREDO east. Most of them also participated in CREDO east’s community activities and events. Data were gathered through interviews with three of the young people, family members, and Circle members, some of whom were also involved professionals. Questionnaires were also sent to professionals to obtain their views more generally on the work of CREDO east and its impact. Responses were overwhelmingly positive. CREDO east was said to have given young people and families a voice, opened up a range of opportunities for young people and their families, and developed community support networks that are powerful, creative and sustainable. Young people and family members valued CREDO east’s independence very highly. Professionals were also very positive about CREDO east and its work although they reported that there were sometimes tensions between the work of CREDO east and budgetary and procedural constraints that they themselves experienced. The author concludes that in the future CREDO east should continue to develop personalised initiatives while also expanding their capacity to engage more significantly with services, professionals and larger numbers of service users.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, multiple disabilities, person-centred care, physical disabilities, social inclusion, support groups, user views, young people, assessment, case studies, charities, evaluation;
Journal of Interprofessional Care, 12(2), May 1998, pp.223-231.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
This article uses existing literature and research to discuss deficiencies in the field of total care for disabled children. Discusses what the reasons for this might be, given the explicit mandate in the Children Act for England and Wales to ameliorate the effects of disability. In particular it balances the parental viewpoint with that of the child, and emphasises the professional difficulties in managing that balance. It raises the complication of child abuse, which is still not widely accepted as a problems for disabled children despite overwhelming research evidence.
This article uses existing literature and research to discuss deficiencies in the field of total care for disabled children. Discusses what the reasons for this might be, given the explicit mandate in the Children Act for England and Wales to ameliorate the effects of disability. In particular it balances the parental viewpoint with that of the child, and emphasises the professional difficulties in managing that balance. It raises the complication of child abuse, which is still not widely accepted as a problems for disabled children despite overwhelming research evidence.
Subject terms:
law, multidisciplinary services, parents, physical disabilities, social care provision, unmet need, user views, voluntary sector, child abuse, children, childrens rights, counselling, evaluation;
Disability and Society, 12(5), November 1997, pp.741-751.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Examines the spread of Disability Living Allowance across a group of low income households in an industrial town in North West England from the introduction of the new benefits in 1992 until the spring of 1996. Focuses on the changes over time of the incidence of Disability Living Allowance in the low income population and look at the relative spread of different elements of the benefit. Speculates on whether the new benefits have provided the most effective way of fulfilling the aims of the White Paper, The Way Ahead, and discuss the implications for social and medical models of disability.
Examines the spread of Disability Living Allowance across a group of low income households in an industrial town in North West England from the introduction of the new benefits in 1992 until the spring of 1996. Focuses on the changes over time of the incidence of Disability Living Allowance in the low income population and look at the relative spread of different elements of the benefit. Speculates on whether the new benefits have provided the most effective way of fulfilling the aims of the White Paper, The Way Ahead, and discuss the implications for social and medical models of disability.
Subject terms:
income, income support, low income, models, physical disabilities, poverty, social policy, disability living allowance, employment, evaluation, government policy;
This study explores the impact of the NHS and Community Care Act (1990) upon a rural community in South West England. The research draws on the views of service users and practitioners with regard to the provision of support services. Results of the research found a marked degree of reliance on family carers and indicates that vulnerable people and their carers hold pessimistic views about the prospects for their continued support by medical and social services agencies.
This study explores the impact of the NHS and Community Care Act (1990) upon a rural community in South West England. The research draws on the views of service users and practitioners with regard to the provision of support services. Results of the research found a marked degree of reliance on family carers and indicates that vulnerable people and their carers hold pessimistic views about the prospects for their continued support by medical and social services agencies.
Subject terms:
needs, older people, physical disabilities, primary care, rural areas, social networks, short break care, social policy, social care provision, social workers, user views, carers, community care, day services, families, evaluation, general practitioners;