Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...
Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...
Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...
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PAGE 171<br />
Tarlet<strong>on</strong> et al.’s study looked at the role <strong>of</strong> extended families in providing<br />
support to parents with intellectual disability (2006). A nati<strong>on</strong>al survey <strong>of</strong><br />
adults with learning difficulties in Engl<strong>and</strong> (Emers<strong>on</strong> et al., 2005) found<br />
that 58 per cent <strong>of</strong> the parents with learning difficulties, who still had<br />
their children living with them, were themselves living either with their<br />
own parents (15%) or other relatives (43%).<br />
Support to People with an Intellectual Disability who are<br />
<strong>Accessible</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Appropriate</strong> <strong>of</strong> Provisi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Review</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Literature</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Experiencing Crisis Pregnancy<br />
Some pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als in this study menti<strong>on</strong>ed instances where interested<br />
families had not been informed when major decisi<strong>on</strong>s were made<br />
about children, including cases <strong>of</strong> aborti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> adopti<strong>on</strong> (Tarlet<strong>on</strong> et<br />
al., 2006). Elsewhere, the involvement <strong>of</strong> extended families was <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
inhibited by the lack <strong>of</strong> family members living locally. Good practice<br />
was identified where the involvement <strong>of</strong> the wider family is supportive<br />
or ‘protective’ (Barlow, 1999) <strong>and</strong> where the parent can retain c<strong>on</strong>trol.<br />
Research has indicated that in some cases, families can sometimes<br />
‘take over’ or undermine pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als’ relati<strong>on</strong>ship with parents with<br />
intellectual disability (Tarlet<strong>on</strong> et al., 2006). Pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als reported trying<br />
to maintain a careful balance between keeping parents with intellectual<br />
disability’s needs paramount, while also involving family members where<br />
appropriate <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing the issues from their perspective.<br />
Tarlet<strong>on</strong> et al.’s research identified a number <strong>of</strong> strategies for involving<br />
extended families, including:<br />
• Spending the time needed to develop the trust <strong>of</strong> extended<br />
families.<br />
• Observing <strong>and</strong> listening carefully, to underst<strong>and</strong> the particular<br />
roles <strong>of</strong> individual family members.<br />
• Explaining to family members the support provided to parents<br />
<strong>and</strong> the child protecti<strong>on</strong> system, ensuring particularly that family<br />
members underst<strong>and</strong> that within judicial proceedings normal<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fidentiality rules do not apply.<br />
• Keeping families informed <strong>of</strong> developments (with the c<strong>on</strong>sent <strong>of</strong><br />
the parents with intellectual disability) by having meetings with<br />
the parents <strong>and</strong> the family together, where appropriate.