Management Issues in Social Care, 9(1), Autumn 2003, pp.16-21.
Publisher:
OLM Systems
Torfaen is a small unitary authority in South East Wales. Reports on a study into respite services which was carried out between June and September 2002. The study was carried out to review services in light of Torfaen's split from the four other authorities in the former Gwent; the emphasis on supporting carers in the strategy of the Welsh Assembly; practice concerns relating to the low level of services to disabled people in Wales. This article describes the approach taken and some of the findings.
Torfaen is a small unitary authority in South East Wales. Reports on a study into respite services which was carried out between June and September 2002. The study was carried out to review services in light of Torfaen's split from the four other authorities in the former Gwent; the emphasis on supporting carers in the strategy of the Welsh Assembly; practice concerns relating to the low level of services to disabled people in Wales. This article describes the approach taken and some of the findings.
Subject terms:
independence, learning disabilities, needs, physical disabilities, short break care, carers, day services, evaluation;
This book offers an approach to planning respite care provision for disabled children and children with learning difficulties, based on the child's abilities and needs. The model set out in this book, the "Hello, this is me model" provides a method of assessing and planning care for children with a variety of special needs. Throughout the book an emphasis is placed on partnership between families and carers that enables children and their parents to make their wishes known when planning respite care so that the unique needs of each child can be met.
This book offers an approach to planning respite care provision for disabled children and children with learning difficulties, based on the child's abilities and needs. The model set out in this book, the "Hello, this is me model" provides a method of assessing and planning care for children with a variety of special needs. Throughout the book an emphasis is placed on partnership between families and carers that enables children and their parents to make their wishes known when planning respite care so that the unique needs of each child can be met.
Subject terms:
independence, learning disabilities, needs, parents, physical disabilities, planning, short break care, social care provision, children, health care;
Child Care in Practice, 7(2), June 2001, pp.141-152.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
The presence of a disabled child is known to increase family stress and parental ill-health. However, it is unclear the extent to which support services can alleviate this. In this study families using two short-break services - both residential and domiciliary - formed the study population. Measures were taken using standardised instruments of children's development and maladaptive behaviours, parental stress, parental health and the supports that the families received from services, professionals and relatives and friends. The findings reinforced the complexity of disentangling the relationships between family needs and service supports. They also suggest that existing presumptions about more services reducing family stress are too simplistic. It is argued that the meaning of support for families needs to be critically reviewed along with an examination of the coping strategies used by families. This should result in better matching of support services to individual family needs.
The presence of a disabled child is known to increase family stress and parental ill-health. However, it is unclear the extent to which support services can alleviate this. In this study families using two short-break services - both residential and domiciliary - formed the study population. Measures were taken using standardised instruments of children's development and maladaptive behaviours, parental stress, parental health and the supports that the families received from services, professionals and relatives and friends. The findings reinforced the complexity of disentangling the relationships between family needs and service supports. They also suggest that existing presumptions about more services reducing family stress are too simplistic. It is argued that the meaning of support for families needs to be critically reviewed along with an examination of the coping strategies used by families. This should result in better matching of support services to individual family needs.
Subject terms:
needs, parents, physical disabilities, short break care, stress, children, coping behaviour, families, health;
Children with no hearing often feel isolated and excluded. The author discovers a scheme in Bristol where children can be looked after on a short-term basis by carers they might identify with - deaf adults.
Children with no hearing often feel isolated and excluded. The author discovers a scheme in Bristol where children can be looked after on a short-term basis by carers they might identify with - deaf adults.
Subject terms:
social isolation, needs, physical disabilities, social exclusion, short break care, social care provision, carers, children, communication, deafness;
Kent Journal of Practice Research, 1(3), September 1997, pp.16-27.
In 1993, the Kent Action for Respite Choice KARC carried out a research project which assessed the provision of respite services in Kent for disabled people and their carers. The results of the research indicated a lack of information concerning the availability of respite and a lack of assessment for services, which meant that a number of individuals were being denied access to respite breaks. As a result of the project in January 1995, KARC began a new research project which was funded by Kent Social Services and East Kent Health Authority. The aims of the research were to establish a common understanding of the principles of respite; identify the respite needs of disabled people and carers in Kent; identify the resources required to meet needs and to make flexible and innovative recommendations. Outlines how the project has approached and draws conclusions and recommendations from the results obtained.
In 1993, the Kent Action for Respite Choice KARC carried out a research project which assessed the provision of respite services in Kent for disabled people and their carers. The results of the research indicated a lack of information concerning the availability of respite and a lack of assessment for services, which meant that a number of individuals were being denied access to respite breaks. As a result of the project in January 1995, KARC began a new research project which was funded by Kent Social Services and East Kent Health Authority. The aims of the research were to establish a common understanding of the principles of respite; identify the respite needs of disabled people and carers in Kent; identify the resources required to meet needs and to make flexible and innovative recommendations. Outlines how the project has approached and draws conclusions and recommendations from the results obtained.
Subject terms:
informal care, needs, physical disabilities, resource allocation, rights, short break care, social care provision, assessment, carers;
Practical guide to assessing the needs of disabled children, choosing the best care options, and considering imaginative alternatives. Alongside the main text runs a diary and narrative recording a practitioner's experience in developing a good local authority service for children with disabilities.
Practical guide to assessing the needs of disabled children, choosing the best care options, and considering imaginative alternatives. Alongside the main text runs a diary and narrative recording a practitioner's experience in developing a good local authority service for children with disabilities.
Subject terms:
needs, parents, physical disabilities, placement, residential care, residential child care, short break care, social care provision, children, foster carers;
HMSO/Great Britain. Scottish Office. Social Work Services Inspectorate
Publication year:
1994
Pagination:
84p.,bibliog.
Place of publication:
London
A literature review of social support for disabled children and their families commissioned by the Social Services Inspectorate at the Scottish Office from the Social Services Research Unit at the University of York
A literature review of social support for disabled children and their families commissioned by the Social Services Inspectorate at the Scottish Office from the Social Services Research Unit at the University of York
Extended abstract:
BALDWIN Sally, CARLISLE Jane. Social support for disabled children and their families: a review of the literature. HMSO/Great Britain. Scottish Office. Social Work Services Inspectorate, 1994.
Summary
A literature review of social support for disabled children and their families commissioned by the Social Services Inspectorate at the Scottish Office from the Social Services Research Unit at the University of York.
Method
The literature review was compiled as a quick exercise to take an overview of material produced in the previous 10 years to identify important themes and gaps, drawing on a small number of important research reports and key policy guidance. Medical care and education were excluded from the reviews.
Contents
Topics addressed are
The development of social care for disabled children and their families
Defining and conceptualising childhood disability
The population of disabled children - numbers and characteristics
Living with disability - the experiences of parents and children
Needs for support
The allocation of resources
Developing services for disabled children and their families
New developments
Future developments - early lessons from the Children Act, 1989.
Findings
The authors comment on the importance of the conceptual frameworks and definitions used in relation to disability in influencing and structuring the support provided. The size and characteristics of the population in question vary according to the criteria used but the commonest individual disabilities appear to be behaviour, communication, mobility, continence, and sensory - often in combination, especially at higher severity levels. The multiple nature of disability is marked, and increases with the overall severity of disability. The population's characteristics are changing because of advances in medical technology - the survival of very disabled children is increasing while the incidence of some conditions is decreasing
The presence of disabled children poses significant financial problems for a family. The risk of marital breakdown is greater when a child is disabled and rises with the severity of the disability. More needs to be discovered as to how parents improve their coping strategies and how the disabled child adapts to and copes with the experiences of disability. Existing research has shown that 'many, many' disabled children are very unhappy and have not found ways of coping with their disability. Research so far has neglected both the child's perspective and the role of external determinants of well-being.
Parents' support needs are for
Information, support and counselling
Support to help the disabled child
Practical support, as in adapting the home environment or providing special equipment and aids
The need for a break, with or without the disabled child
Social support
Financial support
Parents act simultaneously as resources, co-workers and clients and professional practice needs to respond appropriately. Parents need coordination and continuity , 'a single door'. The needs of children have been inferred from parents and professionals rather than by asking directly.
The authors found considerable deficits in the quantity of social support available and in the organisation and delivery of services. Parents want care management, an individually designed and coordinated package of services to help them support the child at home.
Parents 'want a form of service which
Is based on sensitive and comprehensive assessment of both child's and family's needs, with re-assessment from time to time and particularly at times of transition
Allows families some choice in the services they can have
Makes a formal agreement with them to deliver an agreed package of services and does so to an acceptable standard
Identifies a key worker who will get to know family and child; maintain contact; act as a link across the different agencies and professionals who might be involved; act as their advocate and representative when necessary.
Future demand for services will be affected by
Changes in the population of disabled children
Growing recognition of the prevalence of problems among both disabled and non-disabled children
Demands for improved service in terminal care
Better services for children from linguistic and cultural minorities
Need for better support to those in long term care
Need for child protection work to children in all settings
Pressure to recognise human rights of the disbaled child
Effects of the new philosophy of service delivery underlying Caring for People and the Children Act
Changes in targets and service priorities
A changing economic and social context.
Conclusion
The Children Act 1989 is welcomed as a good and progressive piece of legislation and one which should improve the social support of families with disabled children.
280 refs
Subject terms:
literature reviews, needs, parents, physical disabilities, resource allocation, short break care, social care provision, children, families;
Report of a research project which aimed to identify gaps in service provision for parent carers in North and West Wiltshire. Begins with a literature review of existing research in this field. Describes the results of a survey of Wiltshire parent carers, their characteristics and their experiences of services such as special equipment, health services, financial support, special education, social services, respite care, leisure activities, employment and information. Draws conclusions on the access to services of carers and makes recommendations for future practice.
Report of a research project which aimed to identify gaps in service provision for parent carers in North and West Wiltshire. Begins with a literature review of existing research in this field. Describes the results of a survey of Wiltshire parent carers, their characteristics and their experiences of services such as special equipment, health services, financial support, special education, social services, respite care, leisure activities, employment and information. Draws conclusions on the access to services of carers and makes recommendations for future practice.
Subject terms:
information needs, leisure, needs, parents, physical disabilities, short break care, social services, surveys, access to services, assistive technology, benefits, carers, children, education, employment, health care;