Part of Barnardos 'What Works' series, this report discusses what it views as effective practice with families who have disabled children up to the age of sixteen. While much of the evidence reviewed comes from practitioners and academics, the main source of information as to what works best comes from parents, an essential point of information as they are the ones with the hands on experience. It is also necessary to draw attention to the views of children themselves. This report acknowledges that these feature less prominently as they have not been investigated as much as the views of adults in the past.
Part of Barnardos 'What Works' series, this report discusses what it views as effective practice with families who have disabled children up to the age of sixteen. While much of the evidence reviewed comes from practitioners and academics, the main source of information as to what works best comes from parents, an essential point of information as they are the ones with the hands on experience. It is also necessary to draw attention to the views of children themselves. This report acknowledges that these feature less prominently as they have not been investigated as much as the views of adults in the past.
Extended abstract:
Beresford, Bryony et al. What works in services for families with a disabled child? Barnardo's 1996
Summary
Part of Barnardos "What Works" series, this report discusses what it views as effective practice with families who have disabled children up to the age of sixteen. While much of the evidence reviewed comes from practitioners and academics, the main source of information as to what works best comes from parents, an essential point of information as they are the ones with the hands on experience. It is also necessary to draw attention to the views of children themselves. This report acknowledges that these feature less prominently as they have not been investigated as much as the views of adults in the past.
Context
Recent policy changes within health, education and social services have demanded, or provided the opportunity for, a reconsideration of the services provided to disabled children and their families. This has included the mainstreaming of disabled children into children's policy. This move is welcomed but concern has been expressed, by practitioners and researchers, that disabled children and their families may be disadvantaged in a number of ways. Firstly, there may be a lack of knowledge and expertise on the support needs of families with a disabled child. Secondly, social services departments may operate a crisis management style of service provision characterised by resolving immediate problems rather than providing long term support. Finally there is the issue of allocation of resources. There is also potential for a number of positive outcomes. For the first time the views of parents and children has been acknowledged as a vital part of service provision, delivery and evaluation. The requirement of local authorities to draw up Children's Service Plans and the new market structures operating within the health and social services have the possibility of leading to providers rethinking the way they support disabled children and their families, and promoting innovation.
Method
This report draws on research-based evidence though due to lack of material in this area two other main bodies of research are utilised. Firstly, studies which have sought to identify those factors which either help or hinder families in their efforts to cope with the significant additional demands of caring for a disabled child. Secondly, work which has described the needs of disabled children and their families. This report draws predominantly on UK literature though occasionally work from other countries is cited. It takes a whole family approach, exploring the influence of family members on each other and the different roles played by individuals within the family group. Also contained within is an investigation of methods and methodologies of research.
Contents
The introduction describes the children with whom the report is concerned and the range of issues being addressed such as the scope of the report and definitions. The following chapter "Assessing Effectiveness", considers the different research methods that may be used to explore "what works", their respective merits and the degree in which we may have confidence in their findings. The main section of the report "Meeting families' Needs" discusses the strategies that services can use to increase the likelihood that a family with a disabled child will get the kind of support they need the most. The conclusion summarises the main points made in the report. The main report contains examples of good practice. Chapter two of the report emphasises that the report is not a review of good practice.
Conclusion
"Without qualitative studies, we would be hard pressed to understand the social worlds of those with whom we work and without this understanding, we cannot begin to conceptualise interventions which will be acceptable, let alone effective. However, the development of effective services requires other forms of evidence."
Many families with disabled children still live in cramped, unadapted homes. The authors outline the results of new research into what these families really want.
Many families with disabled children still live in cramped, unadapted homes. The authors outline the results of new research into what these families really want.
Subject terms:
housing, needs, physical disabilities, severe disabilities, social care provision, children, families;
Stationery Office/University of York. Social Policy Research Unit
Publication year:
1997
Pagination:
107p.,bibliog.
Place of publication:
London
Reviews the methods used to access the views and experiences of disabled children, including those with speech and learning difficulties. The methodological review is placed in the context of the theoretical, moral and policy arguments that have promoted this shift towards child-centred research. The ethical implications of working directly with children are also considered.
Reviews the methods used to access the views and experiences of disabled children, including those with speech and learning difficulties. The methodological review is placed in the context of the theoretical, moral and policy arguments that have promoted this shift towards child-centred research. The ethical implications of working directly with children are also considered.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, physical disabilities, research methods, social policy, user views, children;
Despite radical changes in attitudes towards disabled children, there is still much that needs to be improved. Looks at the results of research conducted by the author into the needs and circumstances of families caring for a severely disabled child.
Despite radical changes in attitudes towards disabled children, there is still much that needs to be improved. Looks at the results of research conducted by the author into the needs and circumstances of families caring for a severely disabled child.
Subject terms:
needs, physical disabilities, severe disabilities, surveys, attitudes, children, families;
This work sought to ascertain current levels of use of community equipment being used by disabled children and their families in England, and to identify levels of unmet need. A parental survey of nationally representative sample of over 5,000 forms the main data source for this project. In addition, key practitioners and relevant organisations were consulted about issues pertaining to Community Equipment Services, namely: perceived areas of unmet need, groups of disabled children neglected by Community Equipment Services, recycling of equipment, duplication of equipment in different setting and the relationship between housing adaptations and equipment provision.
This work sought to ascertain current levels of use of community equipment being used by disabled children and their families in England, and to identify levels of unmet need. A parental survey of nationally representative sample of over 5,000 forms the main data source for this project. In addition, key practitioners and relevant organisations were consulted about issues pertaining to Community Equipment Services, namely: perceived areas of unmet need, groups of disabled children neglected by Community Equipment Services, recycling of equipment, duplication of equipment in different setting and the relationship between housing adaptations and equipment provision.
Subject terms:
home adaptations, parental role, physical disabilities, social care provision, surveys, unmet need, assistive technology, building design, children, families;
This report presents evidence to support and inform change in policy and practice to ensure that the housing needs of disabled children and their families are better met. The report challenges traditional notions of housing need, calling for a reconceptualisation that embraces all impairments, focuses on child-centred needs and extends beyond the 'four walls' of the family home. The findings of the report are discussed and interpreted within the context of current policy and practice.
This report presents evidence to support and inform change in policy and practice to ensure that the housing needs of disabled children and their families are better met. The report challenges traditional notions of housing need, calling for a reconceptualisation that embraces all impairments, focuses on child-centred needs and extends beyond the 'four walls' of the family home. The findings of the report are discussed and interpreted within the context of current policy and practice.
Subject terms:
housebound people, housing, physical disabilities, social care provision, supported housing, surveys, statistical methods, children, financing;
Housing Care and Support, 3(1), March 2000, pp.25-28.
Publisher:
Emerald
This article is based on two pieces of work. The first, Homes Unfit for Children (Oldham and Beresford, 1998), was based on a postal survey and 40 in-depth interviews with families with disabled children. The second, due to be published by the Policy Press in the spring this year, reports the results of a programme of consultation roadshow with a range of professionals from housing, social services and health, in a series of regional consultation meetings.
This article is based on two pieces of work. The first, Homes Unfit for Children (Oldham and Beresford, 1998), was based on a postal survey and 40 in-depth interviews with families with disabled children. The second, due to be published by the Policy Press in the spring this year, reports the results of a programme of consultation roadshow with a range of professionals from housing, social services and health, in a series of regional consultation meetings.
Report based on a project in which multi agency key worker services for parents with a disabled child were planned, developed and implemented in two local areas. Managers and practitioners worked in partnership with the research team to observe, monitor and evaluate this process.
Report based on a project in which multi agency key worker services for parents with a disabled child were planned, developed and implemented in two local areas. Managers and practitioners worked in partnership with the research team to observe, monitor and evaluate this process.
In-depth study of the impact of housing on the lives of disabled children and their families. Describes parents' perceptions of the impact of housing on their caring and parenting responsibilities; looks at disabled children's experiences of living in their homes; identifies housing needs particular to disabled children and their families; describes families' attempts to deal with unsuitable housing; and reports professionals' perspectives on meeting the housing needs of families with disabled children.
In-depth study of the impact of housing on the lives of disabled children and their families. Describes parents' perceptions of the impact of housing on their caring and parenting responsibilities; looks at disabled children's experiences of living in their homes; identifies housing needs particular to disabled children and their families; describes families' attempts to deal with unsuitable housing; and reports professionals' perspectives on meeting the housing needs of families with disabled children.
Subject terms:
housing, needs, parents, physical disabilities, social care provision, unmet need, access to services, assistive technology, children, families;
Report investigating the needs of families caring for a severely disabled child via the views and experiences of the parents themselves. Looks at: financial problems; housing problems; restricted mobility; and dealing with services and professionals.
Report investigating the needs of families caring for a severely disabled child via the views and experiences of the parents themselves. Looks at: financial problems; housing problems; restricted mobility; and dealing with services and professionals.
Subject terms:
income, housing, needs, parents, physical disabilities, severe disabilities, social care provision, user views, children, families;