A report provided the initial findings from the 2013 Learning Disability Census. The census was undertaken following recommendations arising from the Winterbourne View Hospital inquiry, and provided an individual record-level snapshot of inpatients with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and/or behaviour that challenges, and the services they received, for service users who were inpatients in NHS and independent services. The census would be re-run in September 2014.
Source: Learning Disabilities Census Report: England, 30 September 2013, Health and Social Care Information Centre
Links: Report | Summary | HSCIC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Dec
A report evaluated the supported internship programme. The programme provided a structured study programme for 16 to 24 year olds with a learning difficulty assessment in England. It included on-the-job training, job coaching, and complementary college-based learning. The evaluation examined whether the trial had been effective in enabling people to progress into sustainable employment, the means of delivery (and any lessons from practice), and the value for money aspects of the programme.
Source: Supported Internship Trial for 16 to 24 Year Old Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities: An evaluation, CooperGibson Research
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Dec
A report prepared for the Northern Ireland Assembly examined the health inequalities affecting people with a learning disability. It said that, despite two action plans and a service framework for learning disability, progress to reduce health inequalities had been slow. It suggested actions including: the identification of people who were not known to services; collection of appropriate learning disability population data; ensuring all family doctors were involved in the health check scheme; and the improvement of health promotion/screening.
Source: Health Inequalities and People with a Learning Disability, Research Paper 134/13, Research and Information Service, Northern Ireland Assembly
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Nov
An article examined the use of the care programme approach (CPA) for people with mental health problems and concurrent intellectual disability (dual diagnosis) in one National Health Service foundation trust in England. The study found that progress in implementing CPA was limited. It identified six key contextual challenges that had obstructed progress.
Source: Michael Kelly and Charlotte Humphrey, 'Implementation of the care programme approach across health and social services for dual diagnosis clients', Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, Volume 17 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Nov
An article examined the literature on physical and psychological abuse of individuals with intellectual disabilities and, in particular, the contributing factors. The article highlighted a lack of recent empirical evidence on the incidence of abuse, potential causes and the long-term impact of prevention training, and discussed the need for more research.
Source: Sally Wright, 'How do we prevent another Winterbourne? A literature review', Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Volume 7 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Nov
A report evaluated the support contracts awarded to six providers following the Green Paper on support for children with special educational needs.
Source: Meera Craston, Christopher Carr, Tom Wedell, and Charlotte Clarke, Evaluation of the Green Paper Support Contracts, Research Report 309, Department for Education
Links: Report | Brief | DE press release
Date: 2013-Oct
A report evaluated the SEND Pathfinder programme. It concluded that statistically robust improvements had been seen around many elements of the process, including: families' greater understanding of the process; feeling more involved and listened to; improved joint working across services; having better information; and being more satisfied with the service that they were receiving. The survey found no consistent evidence to illustrate an improvement in outcomes. Further outcome evaluation was proposed.
Source: Meera Craston, Graham Thom, Rhian Spivack, Claire Lambert, Fay Yorath, Susan Purdon, Caroline Bryson, Sanah Sheikh, and Lucy Smith, Impact Evaluation of the SEND Pathfinder Programme, Research Report 281, Department for Education
Links: Report | Brief | DE press release
Date: 2013-Oct
The government began consultation on proposals to issue a new SEN Code of Practice, and on replacing SEN statements with 'education, health and care plans' for those aged 0-25. The consultation was aimed at gathering the views of young people. It would close on 20 December 2013.
Source: Young People's Consultation on the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (16 to 25 year olds), Department for Education
Links: Consultation document (16-25) | Response pack (16-25) | Consultation document (under 16) | Response pack (under 16)
Date: 2013-Oct
A report presented key findings on the transitional experiences of learning-disabled young people moving into young adult life in Northern Ireland, and the delivery of support services aimed at meeting their needs. It said that learning-disabled young people were not being supported adequately enough in their transition to adult life.
Source: Berni Kelly, Don t Box Me In: Disability and transitions to young adult life, Queen s University, Belfast
Links: Summary | QUB press release
Date: 2013-Sep
A report examined the basic human attitudes that underpinned the empowerment of people with learning disabilities, as well as the attitudes that could cause various kinds of disempowerment. Increased regulation, more powerful management or a 'growing mountain' of policy would not begin to shift the abusive and disempowering culture that was prevalent in many services. Special systems, segregation, and professional training regimes too often failed to underline the positive role that disabled people played in society and their fundamental and non-negotiable rights.
Source: Karl Nunkoosing and Mark Haydon-Laurelut, The Relational Basis of Empowerment, Centre for Welfare Reform
Links: Report | CWR press release
Date: 2013-Sep
The Court of Protection sanctioned (for the first time) the sterilization of a man with learning difficulties, ruling that he could suffer psychological harm if he had another child.
Source: A NHS Trust v DE (Appearing by his Litigation Friend the Official Solicitor) & others, Court of Protection 16 August 2013
Links: Judgement | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Aug
An article examined the principal findings of a serious case review that had been commissioned after the exposure of the serious abuse of patients with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View Hospital. It said that the government had responded 'promptly and encouragingly' to the circumstances of the patients. The serious case review had contributed to growing scepticism of 'out of sight, out of mind' placements.
Source: Margaret Flynn and Vic Citarella, 'Winterbourne View Hospital: a glimpse of the legacy', Journal of Adult Protection, Volume 15 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jul
An article examined the lessons to be learned from the abuse of patients with learning disabilities over a number of years at Winterbourne View private hospital. It said that the lessons had permeated only to some areas and professionals, not necessarily to where they were most needed. Further efforts were required to prevent another, similar scandal happening elsewhere.
Source: Joe Plomin, 'The abuse of vulnerable adults at Winterbourne View Hospital: the lessons to be learned', Journal of Adult Protection, Volume 15 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Notes: The article was written by one of the journalists responsible for exposing the abuse.
Date: 2013-Jul
A report examined the role of specialist mental health in-patient services for people with learning disabilities, in the wake of the abuse scandal at Winterbourne View Hospital. It said that a choice of both generic mental health and specialist learning disability mental health beds should be available for people with learning disability and mental health or behavioural problems who required acute in-patient treatment.
Source: People with Learning Disability and Mental Health, Behavioural or Forensic Problems: The Role of In-Patient Services, Royal College of Psychiatrists
Links: Report | RCPsych press release | Community Care report
Date: 2013-Jul
The coalition government published its response to the report of a confidential inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities. It said that although some improvements had been made, people with learning disabilities were still experiencing poor care, and faced unacceptable inequalities in health and social care. It also published a progress report on action taken since a 2009 report highlighted failings in healthcare for people with learning disabilities.
Source: Government Response to the Confidential Inquiry into Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities, Department of Health | Six Lives: Progress report on healthcare for people with learning disabilities, Department of Health
Links: Response | Progress report | Hansard | DH press release | Kingston University press release | Mencap press release | PHSO press release | Turning Point press release | Community Care report
Notes: Inquiry report (March 2013) | Six Lives report (2009)
Date: 2013-Jul
An article examined the financial implications of personalization for people with learning disabilities. It highlighted concerns about the best ways to support them with money matters.
Source: David Abbott and Anna Marriott, 'Money, finance and the personalisation agenda for people with learning disabilities in the UK: some emerging issues', British Journal of Learning Disabilities, Volume 41 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-May
An article examined the effect of two indirect contact interventions on reducing stigma associated with intellectual disability among the general public. Both interventions were found to be effective, at least in the short term. Such interventions might have a role in tackling stigma: but their effects on behavioural intentions were questionable.
Source: Jessica Walker and Katrina Scior, 'Tackling stigma associated with intellectual disability among the general public: a study of two indirect contact interventions', Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 34 Issue 7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-May
A report examined ways of creating more choice and control for people with learning disabilities over where they lived and how they were supported.
Source: Simon Duffy, 21st Century Vision, Centre for Welfare Reform/Housing and Support Alliance
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Apr
An article examined the social exclusion of people with intellectual disabilities living in rural areas of Scotland. Those living in rural areas had better opportunities and lived in less deprived areas than those living in urban areas: but they might not have such positive or close relationships, and this might be important when considering the subjective experience of social exclusion.
Source: Laura Nicholson and Sally-Ann Cooper, 'Social exclusion and people with intellectual disabilities: a rural urban comparison', Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Volume 57 Issue 4 publication
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Mar
A study found that people with learning disabilities were more likely to die from causes that could have been prevented by good healthcare than other people. Learning disabled people died more than 16 years earlier than other people, on average, in part because of inadequate healthcare and unequal access to services.
Source: Pauline Heslop, Peter Blair, Peter Fleming, Matt Hoghton, Anna Marriott, and Lesley Russ, Confidential Inquiry into Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities (CIPOLD): Final report, Norah Fry Research Centre (University of Bristol)
Links: Report | Summary | Bristol University press release | Mencap press release | BBC report | Community Care report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-Mar
A study examined the abuse of people in Wales with learning difficulties. People reported being abused in a variety of settings, including on public transport and in schools: but they were often not believed or supported. People with learning difficulties needed better education on how to deal with abuse and how to stay safe. People who experienced abuse should be given greater access to counselling and therapy, and all reports of abuse should be taken seriously.
Source: Davey Bennett, Samantha Flood, Joyce Howarth, Melissa Melsome, and Ruth Northway, Looking into Abuse: Research by people with learning disabilities, University of Glamorgan
Links: Report | Summary | Disability Wales press release
Date: 2013-Mar
A study found that pupils with the most acute special educational needs spent over one-quarter of their week away from their class, teacher, and peers. This 'high degree of separation' meant that both their education and their social development suffered.
Source: Rob Webster and Peter Blatchford, The Making a Statement Project: Final Report – A study of the teaching and support experienced by pupils with a statement of special educational needs in mainstream primary schools, Institute of Education (University of London)
Links: Report | Summary | IOE press release | Nasen press release | Nuffield Foundation press release
Date: 2013-Feb
The Children and Families Bill was published, and subsequently given a second reading. The Bill was designed to (among other things): reform the adoption system; introduce greater flexibility in parental leave arrangements; reform the system of special educational needs; strengthen the role of the children's rights watchdog; cut delays in the family justice system; and reduce regulation of the childcare sector.
Source: Children and Families Bill, Department for Education, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard (second reading) | Background document | DE press release | Speech | HOC research brief | Barnardos press release | CBI press release | CSW press release | EDCM press release | Fawcett Society press release | FPI press release | Labour Party press release | Mencap press release | NAHT press release | Nasen press release | NIACE press release | NUT press release | OCC press release | Scope press release | Working Families press release | Community Care report | Nursery World report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-Feb