Always trying to walk a bit of a tightrope: the role of social care staff in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and maintain loving relationships

Bates, Claire, McCarthy, Michelle, Milne Skillman, Karen, Elson, Nicola, Hunt, Siobhan, Forrester-Jones, Rachel (2020) Always trying to walk a bit of a tightrope: the role of social care staff in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and maintain loving relationships. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 48 (4). pp. 261-268. ISSN 1354-4187. E-ISSN 1468-3156. (doi:10.1111/bld.12320) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:87852)

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Official URL https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bld.12320

Abstract

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face challenges in developing and maintaining intimate relationships, frequently requiring support from staff . Focus groups were conducted with 26 social care staff members to explore the support they provided to people with IDD to find a potential partner and/or develop an existing relationship. Staff reported that many people with IDD wanted to be in a relationship and that they did what they could to facilitate this, sometimes providing substantial support. Some staff had to address complex issues relating to sexuality, often with no training and with a lack of clear organisational policies. The need for external inspection and regulatory bodies to prioritise relationship support is emphasised.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1111/bld.12320
Uncontrolled keywords:	intellectual disabilities, relationhips, staff support
Subjects:	H Social Sciences
Divisions:	Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User:	Michelle McCarthy
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2021 16:49 UTC
Last Modified:	07 May 2021 12:44 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/87852 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Bates, Claire:	https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7739-9986
McCarthy, Michelle:	https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1358-2516

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