scholarly journals Friendship or Facilitation: People with Learning Disabilities and Their Paid Carers

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Pockney
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Service Users ◽  
The Social

This article compares the composition and characteristics of the social networks of 14 people with learning disabilities with those of 24 of their paid support staff. In doing so the article not only establishes the differences in the diversity, durability and density of each group's social set, but highlights the disparity in perspective that the service users and the support staff have about their shared relationships. This is followed by a sociological discussion of why those with learning disabilities perceive their support staff as friends, while the support staff seldom consider the service users in this way, preferring to view themselves as facilitators to these individuals’ friendships. The article concludes by discussing the consequences of the staff and service users’ differing perspectives about their relationships, in terms of the tensions it generates in staff about their caring role and the effect it may have upon those with learning disabilities’ broader social inclusion.

European Collaboration of Healthcare and Art with Focus on Social Inclusion and Wellbeing

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-39
Author(s):  
Anita Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
European Collaboration ◽  
Arts And Health ◽  
The Social ◽  
Tate Modern

This article examines the health benefits, for healthcare service users with various disabilities, of participating in a European collaborative art project. The first section describes the organisations involved and the background for the project. The findings – based on evaluations, testimonies and interviews – suggest that the project promoted wellbeing; stimulated a changed notion of social identity; and also contributed to social engagement and inclusion. The second section starts with considering the role of the Community Learning Programme at Tate Modern Gallery in delivering inclusive workshops, and evaluates it with respect to service users’ needs; this section concludes by questioning the social role of galleries and museums and explores how these could contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of local communities by promoting arts and health programmes.

Peer Status of Children with and without Learning Disabilities — A Multimethod Study

1988 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally G. Hoyle ◽  
Felicisima C. Serafica
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Peer Status ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Friendship Formation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Peer Nominations

This study examined the social relations of third-grade children with (LD) and without learning disabilities (nonLD). Two sociometric measures (peer nominations and ratings of “liking”) and a questionnaire on social networks outside of school were employed. Results on the former indicated that LD children were less accepted but not more rejected by peers than nonLD children. Differences were found in the functions and contexts -but not the size or composition - of LD and nonLD children's social networks. To test different hypotheses for LD children's social status, three possible determinants were studied: behavior problems as rated by teachers, conceptions of friendship, and ecological factors. Teachers of LD students did not observe these children to be more disruptive though they rated them as demonstrating more personality problems than nonLD peers. Significant group differences in friendship conceptions were found: the LD group's mean stage score for conceptions of friendship and their mean levels of reasoning about friendship formation and conflict resolution were significantly lower than those of the nonLD controls. Theoretical and methodological implications of the results are discussed.

scholarly journals Does Participation in Social Networks Foster Trust and Respect for Other People—Evidence from Poland

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Łopaciuk-Gonczaryk
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Informal Networks ◽  
Generalized Trust ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family

A shortage of social capital may hinder sustainable development. According to the “social capital dream” there is a virtuous circle between participation in social networks, trust, and cooperation. It is a promising idea for proponents of sustainability, as it is easier to promote participation than affect social norms. Participation may, however, lead to particularized and not generalized trust, which hinders social inclusion and undermines the idea of a sustainable society. The aim of this paper is to validate the role of participation in informal and formal social networks in enhancing social trust and respect towards others. The relevance of both strong and weak ties is considered. Fixed-effects modeling on three-wave data from a Polish social survey is utilized. An increase in generalized trust corresponds with an increase in the acquaintances network, a decrease in the family and friends network, and an increase in volunteering. A rise in expectations about the cooperativeness of others is enhanced by an increase in the family and friends network, and by volunteering. The lack of respect for some groups of people is not affected by participation in organizations and informal networks. Overall within-person heterogeneity is small, suggesting that possibilities for fostering moral trust by participation are limited.

Research Watch: therapists’ working conditions and their implications for service users’ social inclusion

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
Sue Holttum
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Additional Stress ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight possible implications of therapists’ working conditions on social inclusion of service users. Design/methodology/approach A search was carried out for recent papers on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) therapists. Findings One study highlighted that over half of their sample of 201 UK therapists in Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services reported burnout. In a second study, in interviews with ten IAPT workers in inner London services, therapists said they had to fight for extra time to adapt CBT for people who had learning disabilities, and the additional stress made them feel less positive about working with these clients. A third study, on therapists working with people with multiple sclerosis, highlights the importance of adapting CBT for people with physical conditions. Originality/value Taken together, these three papers highlight concerning implications of current working conditions for many therapists working in IAPT services. They highlight that sources of stress include services’ rigid focus on targets and inability to make expected adjustments. With regard to the UK, this may be due to the current national service model, but it has implications for the social inclusion of some service users.

Enhancing the social networks of adults with ASD: a low level community intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy McConkey ◽  
Marie-Therese Cassin ◽  
Rosie McNaughton ◽  
Elaine Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Level ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to design and evaluate an innovative community-based service for adults with autism in a rural region of Northern Ireland. The goal was to reduce their social isolation through gaining social skills and building social networks. Design/methodology/approach Over three years, 54 persons with a median age of 21 years received 12 months of one-to-one, personalised support and opportunities to participate in peer groups and social activities which are detailed in the paper. Quantitative and qualitative information about the impact of the service was obtained from its users, their relatives, as well as service personnel. Findings Service users rated themselves to have changed in more ways than did their relatives and staff although there was a consensus that the changes were most marked in terms of spending more time out of the house, engaging in more community activities, being more independent and increased confidence. The main benefits they perceived from participation in the project were socialising, new experiences and learning new things. Research limitations/implications As with many service projects, a longer term follow-up of service users was not possible due to resource constraints. Practical implications The service could be replicated with suitable staff although current constraints on social care budgets have limited its expansion to more users and extension to other areas in Northern Ireland. Social implications Reducing the social isolation of adult persons with autism spectrum disorders needs to be personalised to the person, their living circumstances and the community in which they live. Family carers also stand to gain from community support services. Originality/value This low level, low cost service was implemented in a predominantly rural area with a majority of users from socially deprived areas.

Commentary on “Afraid to leave the house: issues leading to social exclusion and loneliness for people with a learning disability”

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 176-179
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Positive Change ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on, “Afraid to leave the house: issues leading to social exclusion and loneliness for people with a learning disability”. Design/methodology/approach This paper considers the impacts of cuts to services, support and care that people with learning disabilities experience and the effects these cuts can have on social inclusion and positive social networks. Ways in which these impacts can be overcome are considered. Findings Listening to the voices of people with learning disabilities can provide opportunities for positive change which meet the needs of people with learning disability and society more widely. Originality/value The commentary uses evidence to consider the effects of cuts to services on the lives of people with learning disability and to provide possible solutions.

Education as a catalyst for the social inclusion of people with learning disabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-392
Author(s):  
Deborah Robinson ◽  
Geraldene Codina ◽  
Vasilis Strogilos ◽  
Eleni Dimitrellou
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
The Social
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