Older carers of people with learning disabilities: their experiences with local authority assessment processes and personnel

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Forrester-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
High Level ◽  
Funding Cuts

Purpose Amongst other actions the Care Act 2014 emphasised the duties of local authorities (LA) to assess the needs of carers, as well as those they care for and to meet all eligible needs for support. This paper aims to report the findings of a study which explored the experiences of older carers of people with learning disabilities as they navigated LA assessment processes and personnel. Design/methodology/approach Using an explorative design, 21 older carers were interviewed about their experiences. Interview transcripts were qualitatively analysed. Findings Three main themes were identified, namely, needs assessments as ambitions, not outcomes; the effects of funding-cuts projected onto carers; and challenges with social care personnel. Originality/value The study findings attracted a high level of engagement with public awareness and mainstream news and social media. The LA also immediately responded with interventions to address some of the findings, including carer “drop-in” sessions. They are also adapting their carer’s needs assessment processes as a result of the study. It is hoped that the issues raised will be of interest to other social care providers and practitioners.

Commentary on “Older carers of people with learning disabilities: their experiences with local authority assessment processes and personnel”

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Gant
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Family Context ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
The Past ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on “Older carers of people with learning disabilities: their experiences with local authority assessment processes and personnel” written by Rachel Forrester-Jones. Design/methodology/approach This commentary considers the experiences of older carers in the context of research, legislative and policy changes over the past 30+ years. Findings The needs of older carers of adults with learning disabilities are well recognised within the (limited) literature. Less attention has been given to practical strategies to identify and support such carers or to their broader family context. Originality/value This commentary highlights that assessors carrying out carers’ needs assessments should consider whether adults with learning disabilities are providing care to their older relative. The recognition of possible mutual or reciprocal care needs to be acknowledged and appropriate support offered.

scholarly journals The demographics of forced marriage of people with learning disabilities: findings from a national database

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-74
Author(s):  
Rachael Clawson ◽  
Anne Patterson ◽  
Rachel Fyson ◽  
Michelle McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
National Database ◽  
Forced Marriage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the UK demographics of forced marriage of people with learning disabilities and people without learning disabilities to inform effective safeguarding practice. Design/methodology/approach An analysis of all cases of forced marriage reported to the UK Government’s Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) between 2009 and 2015. Findings People with learning disabilities are at five times greater risk of forced marriage than people without learning disabilities. Men and women with learning disabilities are equally likely to be forced to marry, whereas amongst the general population, women are more likely than men to be forced to marry. Patterns of ethnicity, geographic location within the UK and reporters are the same for people with and without learning disabilities. Research limitations/implications The analysis is based on cases reported to the FMU, and for some cases, data held was incomplete. More importantly, many cases go unreported and so the FMU data does not necessarily reflect all cases of forced marriage in the UK. Practical implications Forced marriage of people with learning disabilities is a safeguarding issue. Practitioners across health, education, criminal justice and social care need to better understand the risk of forced marriage for people with learning disabilities. Links to practice resources developed as part of the wider project are provided. Originality/value This is the first time that researchers have been given access to FMU data and the first time that a statistical analysis of cases of forced marriage involving someone with a learning disability have been analysed.

First-hand experience of accessible information

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Mander
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Framework Approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on primary research which investigated the first-hand experience of producing and implementing accessible information (AI). Design/methodology/approach – In total, 18 participants were recruited for a qualitative scoping exercise from four distinct sampling groups: adults with learning disabilities; specialist learning disability service staff; mainstream NHS and local authority staff; and speech and language therapists. Each participant took part in a semi-structured focus group or interview which explored their range of skills, knowledge and attitudes relating to AI. Findings – Framework approach to thematic analysis led to three main classifications: ideology of AI, AI practice and the outcomes of delivering AI. First-hand experience varied across the stakeholders, highlighting differences in the operationalisation of national policies and legislation. Originality/value – The data supported the notion of AI as a multifaceted process; although the practice of delivering accessible resources appeared less advanced than accessible resource production.

Commentary on “Building capable environments using practice leadership”

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
Edwin Jones
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Implementation Science ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Care Training ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to present a conceptual viewpoint highlighting the utility of active support in implementing capable environments and to extend this by presenting a three-tiered preventative model of positive behavioural support (PBS) in UK health and social care. Design/methodology/approach Provision of a commentary on “Building capable environments using practice leadership” by Linda Hume, Nadia Khan and Martin Reilly. Findings Capable environments and active support should be key, universal and essential PBS tier one supports in UK health and social care. Training staff in Active Support and developing practice leadership help implement capable environments. Originality/value The three-tiered PBS model was recently proposed by Leitch et al. (2020) and is worthy of further debate and refinement with the involvement of stakeholders. It has several practical implications including refocussing efforts on early intervention to get tier one supports implemented effectively in recognition that PBS is much wider than intense tier three supports. It could reinforce and motivate existing providers of quality support and indicate where and how other providers can commence the process of implementing PBS. Future research could consider the effectiveness of applying implementation science to the field of learning disabilities and PBS in particular.

Learning disability market position statements, are they fit for purpose?

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 206-210
Author(s):  
Alison Giraud-Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Market Position ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
Robust Planning ◽  
Fit For Purpose

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the issues raised in the article “Learning disability market position statements (MPS), are they fit for purpose?” Design/methodology/approach The commentary draws on the literature and the author’s experience in developing commissioning. Findings Published documents such as MPS and joint strategic needs assessments do not give an encouraging picture of progress in commissioning with and for people with learning disabilities. Actual commissioning practice may or may not be stronger than the documents suggest; however, more robust planning may help to sustain progress through times of organisational and social change. Originality/value The commentary sets MPS in the context of other guidance on commissioning and development of services. It addresses questions about the need for published statements and the factors that help or hinder development of commissioning.

Preventing abuse through pre-employment checks: an international review

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 341-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Manthorpe ◽  
Valerie Lipman
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
English Language ◽  
Social Care ◽  
International Review ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internet Searching ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Vulnerable Adults

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to summarise the findings of a desk-based international review investigating the checking of staff and volunteers working with adults who are vulnerable or at risk (or similarly defined) receiving social care in their own homes, or in day centres or residential care. Design/methodology/approach – In England, as part of the government’s attempts to prevent harm to vulnerable people, employers must check if their staff or volunteers are barred from working with vulnerable adults in the health and care sectors or if they have a relevant criminal record. This review sought to explore practices elsewhere, with a view to informing policy and practice debates. The review was undertaken in winter 2014-2015. It mainly involved a search of internet-based material and databases. This was further informed by communications with experts and practitioners from different countries. Findings – The review found a variety of practices, ranging from no checks to substantial checks involving fingerprinting. Reasons for checks identified in different national contexts extend from efforts to stop fraudulent use of government subsidies to minimising the risk of harm to vulnerable adults, and more positively to enhance user and public trust in care providers. A small number of countries place particular emphasis on the rights of individuals to privacy and rehabilitation and this moral imperative overrides other policy goals. This review highlighted a lack of clarity in publicly available documents about the potentially multiple policy goals of different schemes and suggests that there may be advantages to clarifying the options available from other countries. Research limitations/implications – This review was confined to English language material and to material located through internet searching. Some material may not have been updated on internet sites. Originality/value – The details of the processes have not previously been collated to the best of the authors’ knowledge.

scholarly journals Quality and legal aspects in public care procurement

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Bröchner ◽  
Carolina Camén ◽  
Henrik Eriksson ◽  
Rickard Garvare
Keyword(s):  
Social Care ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Equal Treatment ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Principles ◽  
Health And Social Care

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the applicability of care quality concepts as contract award criteria for public procurement of health and social care, using the case of Sweden. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature review, European and Swedish legal texts, government regulations as well as 26 Swedish court review cases concerning care procurement have been analysed. Findings – Methods used for assessing care quality are seldom useful for predicting the quality to be delivered by a potential contractor. Legal principles of transparency and equal treatment of tenderers make it necessary to apply strict requirements for verification. Research limitations/implications – Results refer primarily to a Swedish context but could be applicable throughout the EU. Further studies of relations between award criteria and public/private collaborative practices for improving care quality during contractual periods are desirable. Practical implications – Local and regional procurement officials should benefit from a better understanding of how quality criteria should be designed and applied to the award procedures for care contracts. Care providers in the private sector would also be able to develop their quality strategies and present their abilities more efficiently when tendering for public contracts. Social implications – Issues of quality of health and social care are of obvious importance for social sustainability. Public awareness of care quality problems is evident and often a cause of media concern. Originality/value – This investigation pinpoints the difference between traditional care quality thinking and the legal principles underlying contract award in public procurement of care services.

Adult safeguarding and the Care Act (2014) – the impacts on partnerships and practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adi Cooper ◽  
Claire Bruin
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Change ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Senior Manager ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
New Framework

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look at the impacts on adult safeguarding partnerships and practice over 18 months following the implementation of the Care Act (2014) from the perspectives of an independent Chair of two Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs) and a senior manager in adult social care in a local authority. They look at the areas of: wellbeing and safety, safeguarding activity and process, changing criteria and definitions, Making Safeguarding Personal, SABs, safeguarding adult reviews and advocacy. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw together information from published sources, experience and networks. Findings The paper argues that the impact on adult safeguarding and SABs has been greater than originally envisaged in a range of areas. This appears to be as a result of adult safeguarding having been made statutory, a new framework having been put in place, and added impetus given to a cultural change in adult safeguarding practice. Originality/value The authors have been engaged in delivering the adult safeguarding elements of the Care Act (2014) and so provide unique insight into the experience of making the changes required to meet the new statutory requirements and achieve the objective of protecting peoples’ rights to live in safety, free from abuse or neglect.

Commentary on “Diabetes and people with learning disabilities: issues for policy, practice and education”

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianne Redquest ◽  
Yona Lunsky
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Diabetes Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Practice

Purpose There has been an increase in research exploring the area of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and diabetes. Despite being described as instrumental to diabetes care for people with IDD, the role and experiences of family carers, such as parents and siblings, are often neglected in this research. However, it is clear that family carers do not feel that they have sufficient knowledge about diabetes. The purpose of this commentary is to extend the content from “Diabetes and people with learning disabilities: Issues for policy, practice, and education (Maine et al., 2020)” and discuss how family carers can feel better supported when caring for someone with IDD and diabetes. Design/methodology/approach This commentary discusses specific efforts such as STOP diabetes, DESMOND-ID and OK-diabetes for people with IDD including family carers. Encouragement is given for health care providers to recommend such programmes to people with IDD and their family carers. It is also suggested that health care providers involve family carers in diabetes care planning and implementation for people with IDD. Findings It is hoped that if changes are made to current diabetes practices and more research with family carers is conducted, diabetes prevention and management for people with IDD will be more successful and family carers can feel more confident in providing support to their loved ones. Originality/value Research exploring the role of family carers in diabetes care for people with IDD and diabetes is very limited. This commentary makes recommendations to help family carers feel better supported in their role. It also provides areas for future research.

Brick by brick: building up our knowledge base on the abuse of adults with learning disabilities

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Personal Relationships ◽  
Good Thing ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Many Sources

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw readers’ attention to the myriad ways to find out about abuse towards people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – Whilst acknowledging the continued importance of research studies specifically focused on the topic of abuse, this commentary reviews information about abuse of adults with learning disabilities from other sources, e.g., through service audits, studies on sexual and personal relationships. Findings – Having many sources of information about abuse against people with learning disabilities is a good thing, but there are some problems associated with this. First, some forms of abuse appear to be easier to find out about than others, and second, the difficult question of how the information can be used to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. Originality/value – This commentary encourages readers to take a broad view of abuse of people with learning disabilities and to use all the knowledge available to support individuals, whilst at the same time demanding social changes.

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