Residential Care for People with Learning Difficulties in Poland: A View from a Visitor

ABSTRACT

Two state-run services in Poland for people with learning difficulties were visited, one for children and one for adults. Poor environmental conditions, overcrowding, understaffing and the use of restraint were particularly noticeable during the visits. Informal observation together with conversations with staff gave some idea of the day-to-day practices in the services. Reports of Boards of Visitors highlighted the lack of stimulative care for residents and a more general report noted the shortage of places in residential facilities and their generally poor standard. As greater Western involvement is taking place in Eastern Europe there are likely to be more descriptions of conditions in services for people with special needs, as well as reports of interventions. It is important, however, not to be complacent about services in the West, for as well as examples of leading edge services, poor services can also be found.