Understanding of the Care Act 2014 among carers of adults with learning disabilities
Gant, Valerie (RCN Publishing, 2017-05-26)
The Care Act (2014) gave new rights to carers for assessment and aimed to provide a structure for a more personalised approach to care and support (DoH, 2014). The UK population is an aging one and research indicates that people with learning disabilities are part of this longevity (Emerson and Hatton, 2008; Foster and Boxall, 2015; Walker and Ward, 2013) with the majority of people with learning disabilities remaining in family care for many years (Cairns, et al. 2013; Gant, 2010). Thus carers are frequently providers of care for their relative with a learning disability and take on many levels of responsibility, often lasting for decades. This paper describes a research study involving 9 carers of adults with learning disabilities to establish their views on this piece of legislation, its likely significance to them and their relatives, and provides a forum for discussion and debate in terms of possible implications for practice.
Siblings of Adults with Learning Disabilities: An Empirical Study
Gant, Valerie (Social Work and Society, 2018-01-01)
Adult siblings are frequently providers of care for their brother or sister with a learning disability* and many take on many levels of responsibility, which often lasts for decades. The majority of research focusing on siblings of people with learning disabilities comes from the perspective of those aged under 18. This paper draws on the work of Rawson (2012) and Pompeo (2009) to focus attention on adult siblings. This study, examined the relationships adult siblings have with their brother or sister with a learning disability. Fourteen participants were involved, in-depth interviews were conducted to gather data that was thematically analysed. The findings revealed that siblings want to be involved in the life of their brother or sister and to be seen as next of kin by professionals when their parents have died, but yet are unsure how best to approach this prospect. Based on these findings, implications for practitioners are discussed.