Engagement and inclusion of individuals with a dual sensory loss and learning disability in the assessment process-staff perspectives

Abstract

Dual Sensory Loss and learning disability is a historically neglected area of social work practice. This paper presents one element of a research study conducted with a health and social care provider in Northern Ireland. It explored staff experiences of assessing adults and children with a dual sensory loss and learning disability. Two sensory disability team managers, eight social workers and two rehabilitation officers were interviewed across sensory disability, learning disability and children with disability teams. Current levels of engagement and ways in which more inclusive services and practices could be developed were explored. Staff views indicate that there is minimal engagement between staff and service users with unique, complex needs. Staff use a range of tools, resources and skills in an attempt to promote inclusion and engagement. The paper concludes that to promote engagement staff need to develop their practice, making effective use of tools and resources. Staff skills and knowledge can be enhanced through training which is targeted, relevant and specific. There needs to be commitment to sharing good practice and cascading learning throughout teams. This will enable service users to have input into their own assessments which will form the cornerstone of all ongoing interventions.

Keywords:

• Deafblind and learning disability
• dual sensory loss
• qualitative research
• social work
• communication
• person centred
• intellectual disability
• engagement
• inclusion
• assessment

Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge the support of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and the University of Ulster in undertaking this piece of research.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Liz Tanner

Liz Tanner, Workforce Development & Training Team, Southern Health & Social Care Trust, Armagh, Northern Ireland, UK. Email: [email protected]

Anne McGlade

Anne McGlade, Health & Social Care Board Belfast, Social Care Research Lead, Belfast, UK.

Mark Irwin

Mark Irwin, Operational Manager Short Breaks, Southern Health & Social Care Trust, Armagh, UK.