Supporting People to be a part of their Community

It is no coincidence that the large Victorian Hospitals were built in what was then the countryside; thus separating the ordinary folks from those with Metal Health, Learning Disabilities and with other needs that embarrassed society at the time. It was also very much part of the prevailing attitude that these hospitals were built to resemble rather grand stately homes so that the gentry travelling through the countryside were not offended in any way. Behind the walls, of course was a life that existed separately from mainstream society and this isolation allowed for a very grim existence.
We have moved on and now the people who used to be hidden are living in ordinary areas of towns and cities, ordinary streets and ordinary houses. We could be naive in believing that the process of integration is complete; that we have overcome Victorian attitudes. Far from it. Without participation, inclusion, rights and value, the presence of people with Learning Disabilities is very little more than tokenistic.

This one day course covers the objectives ‘Supporting People to be part of their Community’, part of the Learning Disability Knowledge Set:

• Social inclusion
• Policy & Legislation
• Promoting inclusion with the individual
• Promoting inclusion within the community
• Promoting financial inclusion
• Risk taking
• Communication

The course certificate provides details of learning achieved which may be used as evidence of learning towards the achievement of accredited awards.

Learning objectives:

By the end of the course learners should be able to understand:

• What is meant by ‘social inclusion’ and ‘exclusion’
• How living in an institution affected people
• How the process of ‘Normalisation’ began:
        -The Danish experience with references to Nirje
        -Wolfensberger and Social Role Valorisation
        -The principles of ‘ordinary living’
        -O Brien’s competencies
• The move from the institution to the community
• How homes in the community could be replacing the large institutions with mini institutions
• The importance of service users having valued roles in the community
• How Learning Disability services can contribute to exclusion by attempting to meet all needs internally
• How lack of skills development can lead to exclusion and isolation
• The need for active preparation for community participation
• Why it might be difficult for people with Learning Disabilities to access services and facilities
• The opportunities available
• ‘Special’ or ‘ordinary’ facilities?
• Facilitating choices
• The differing levels of support for the individual in different settings and circumstances
• The barriers that the person may come across in the community
• How to support the person overcoming resistance to acceptance
• What is Advocacy and the role of the Advocate
• The link between finances and social inclusion
• Supporting people’s financial management so as to get the most out of community inclusion
• People’s right to take risk so as to expand their horizons
• When risk is unacceptable. Risk assessment and management
• Different ways in which the person may be at risk within the community incl. Internet activity and self-disclosure
• How to help the person take care of themselves and appropriate Safeguarding
• The need for effective communication and how to help the person communicate their views (including complaints)

Training methods:

• Tutor presentation
• PowerPoint/OHP
• Handouts
• Chalk & Talk
• Word shower method
• Pairs, Triads and small group work
• case studies

CP00/0.0