The Tizard Centre, an eminent research centre within The University of Kent, is carrying out research on how the learning disabled or their family carers choose their services and how the services offered are identified. (Rescare is aware that many of its members, as family carers, during ‘transition planning’ and at other times, will have sought what they consider the best and most suitable sevices for the person they care for; and that the real issue is often the paucity of service choice offered.)
Can you help? We reproduce below the text of the appeal on the Tizard Centre website:
Choosing services for adults with learning disabilities or autism
Choice has become an important slogan in social care: people should be able to choose a high quality service that best meets their need. In reality, we know very little about how services are identified and selected.
This research study explores the process of choosing services (for example residential care, supported living services, respite care etc.) for people with a learning disability or autism. We are especially interested in how the quality of services is considered in this process, and what type of information is found useful.
To do this we would like to talk to people who have experience in finding or choosing services for people with learning disabilities or autism, such as family carers or advocates and disabled people themselves.
If you or the person you support is interested in sharing their experiences with us or you would like to find out more about the study, please contact Beckie Whelton at the Tizard Centre (e-mail: R.Whelton@kent.ac.uk; phone: 01227 827771).
If you know anyone who might be interested in this research, please forward this information to them.