Department of Health Learning Disability research Initiative

The Department of Health Learning Disability Research Initiative has funded a number of projects looking at learning disability topics.

The projects are grouped into themes

1    Choice and Control
2    Social Inclusion
3    Disabled Children and Young People
4    Quality Services
5    Making Change Happen
6    Performance Measurement

1. Choice and Control

An evaluation of the impact of person centred planning

Lead Investigator Professor Eric Emerson, University of Lancaster
eric.emerson@lancaster.ac.uk

The study will examine the impact of person-centred planning (pcp) on the quality of life of people with learning disabilities, in respect of their independence, social inclusion and health status. Analysis will be made of the organisational factors that facilitate or impede the impact of PCP

start 01/11/01 duration36 months

The impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on people with disabilities

Lead Investigator Pat Finnegan and Steve Clarke
s.clarke@btinternet.com

The research will assess the impact of the Human Rights legislation on people with learning disabilities. By involving people with learning disabilities in the research, the study aims also to raise awareness about their rights under the Act and encourage 'best practice' amongst organisations investigated.

start 02/10/01 duration 24 months

Accessible information for people with learning disabilities

Lead Investigator Dr Jackie Rodgers, Norah Fry Research Centre
j.rodgers@bristol.ac.uk

This study aims to produce and disseminate evidence-based guidance and evaluative tools, relevant to increasing the accessibility of information to people with learning disabilities.

start01/04/02 duration 24 months

Exercising choice and control: Women with learning disabilities and their reproductive health care needs

Lead Investigator Dr Michelle McCarthy, Tizard Centre, University of Canterbury
M.McCarthy@ukc.ac.uk

This project sets out to explore what learning disabled women who use HRT or contraception understand about these treatments, and to what extent they felt they were able to exert choice and control over them

start01/04/04 duration 24 months

2. Social Inclusion

A profile of employment officers for people with learning disabilities

Lead Investigator Dr Justine Schneider, University of Durham
Justine.Schneider@durham.ac.uk

In a context of the rapid changes in employment opportunities for people with learning difficulties, this project will examine the characteristics of staff who provide employment support. Particular attention will be paid to the latter's understanding of the idea of social inclusion and to the ways in which this informs their work.

start01/10/01 duration24 months

3.Disabled Children and Young People

Evaluating supports service for school leavers with learning disabilities with reference to ethnicity

Lead Investigator Dr Raghu Raghavan, University of Bradford
R.Raghavan@Bradford.ac.uk

This project will identify social networks and perceptions of social iclusion amongst young people with learning disabilities. The central focus will be on young Asican people who are moving towards the school to work transition.

start01/09/01 duration36 months

4. Quality Services

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural treatment for men with learning disabilities at risk of sexual offending

Lead Investigator Professor Glynis Murphy, Tizard Centre, University of Kent
lg.h.murphy@ukc.ac.uk

This study will examine the extent to which cognitive behavioural group treatments that have been proven to be effective with the male population generally are effective with males who have learning disabilities.

start01/11/01 duration12 months

Symptoms of abuse in people with severe learning disabilities

Lead Investigator Professor Glynis Murphy, Tizard Centre, University of Kent
g.h.murphy@ukc.ac.uk

This study will examine the nature of psychological harm caused to people with learning disabilities who are subject to physical and/or sexual abuse. Its aim is to improve the ability of staff and carers to identify and act on abuse, to identify the needs of the victims and to assist them in obtaining access to the judicial process.

start01/11/01 duration12 months

5. Making Change Happen

Commissioning and strategic change in the context of a White Paper on learning disability

Lead Investigator Norah Fry Research Institute
strategies-nfrc@bristol.ac.uk

This project is designed to assist the implementation of Valuing People by reviewing good practice in respect of the involvement of people with learning disabilities in commissioning. This will be taken forward by investigating the strengths and weaknesses of joint planning at a local level, by providing early warning of any problems with implementation and by disseminating evidence-based material to commissioners.

start01/09/01 duration21 months

6.Performance Measurement

Developing measures of core competencies and job performance in residential support staff working with people with learning disabilities

Lead Investigator Chris Hatton, Lancaster University
c.hatton@lancaster.ac.uk

This project seeks to develop a set of core competencies for residential support workers in consultation with service users, relatives, residential support workers and managers - based on these core competencies, parallel job performance measures will be devised to develop an evidence base for the assessment of job performance.

start01/10/01 duration15 months

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Last updated: 30/07/2007