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Characteristics of people providing family placements to adult persons with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 33(3), September 2005, pp.132-137.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examines the characteristics of 30 placement providers in two schemes operating in Northern Ireland. Information was obtained through individual interviews on their characteristics, their reasons for becoming involved and what they get out of their involvement. All but one were female; two-thirds were aged 50 plus and just over one-third were in employment. The majority of providers have been recruited from the care sector and many had experience of people with intellectual disabilities. Most had come into the schemes because of their personal interest in this client group. No one came solely as a result of seeing an advertisement and only one person explicitly mentioned the financial reimbursement. Over half had been involved for 3 years and more. All felt they gained a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment from their involvement but stressed the amount of commitment needed to become a provider. The placement providers overall were very satisfied with the way the schemes operated. The main complaint appeared to be in regard to the low payments. Proposals are made for the future development of family placement schemes particularly in the recruitment of providers.
Family placement schemes for adult persons with intellectual disabilities living with elderly carers
- Authors:
- McCONKEY Roy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities, 8(3), September 2004, pp.267-282.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Few family placement schemes involve adult persons, and rarely have they been targeted at older carers. Twenty-five carers, aged 55 years and over, of people with intellectual disabilities using one of two placement schemes in Northern Ireland were studied, along with a further 20 carers recommended for these schemes. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to obtain the views of carers, people with intellectual disabilities and placement providers. The placement schemes were very favourably received. Carers welcomed the break and valued the relationship with the placement provider. Individuals with disability reported greater opportunities to participate in activities. Placement providers were very satisfied with the way the schemes operated: the main complaint was the low level of payments. Key factors affecting the further development of services include recruitment of male providers, registration issues, training of providers and the difficulty in meeting the needs of multiply disabled persons.