Community Services For Learning Disabled People

Community Services For Learning Disabled People

Introduction

Learning disability is defined as the significant reduction in the ability to understand new or complex information. According to a report by charity organization Mencap, there are approximately 1.5 million people in the UK suffering from a learning disability. Such individuals have problems in understanding and communication. If the person has multiple or severe learning disability, then he needs a full support of professional as well as a family to fulfil his responsibilities in life (Coulshed & Orme 1998, p. 12).

In this assignment, I will critically analyse the use of group work with adults with learning disabilities, as well as working with carers and multi-disciplinary teams. This essay will also outline the potential role of community led actions to promote inclusion and well-being. Furthermore, I will demonstrate understanding of community social works by identifying the political and social factors that shape the practice. I will also demonstrate my awareness of anti-oppressive practice in empowering communities and groups. The assignment also aims to look at the role of community in helping these people

Discussion

Group work in the 1940's by social workers and mental health workers were viewed as a means of making greater use of members own resources. Between 1950's and 1960, Skynner developed group psychotherapy for children, which was a mode of treatment in several UK child guidance clinics. This led to the establishment of multidisciplinary child guidance clinics which served a wide range of groups for children and families. In 1960 and early 1970, group work in UK grew significantly, and practitioners drew heavily on American literature. In the 1970, group work in human services was at its height. The views on the group and community works have changed. They were previously considered as a luxury service. This was partly in response to political factors such as the change in legislation (Phillips 2001, pp. 31). Currently group work services by voluntary sectors like NSPCC are very strong and efficient. Continuing growth is seen in substance misuse agencies in both the health and voluntary sectors. The Community Care Act 1990 and subsequent policy directives encouraged the trend of caring professionals from a range of disciplines in statutory agencies to co-operate with each other and jointly work for group services (Phillip 2001, pp. 38).

Heap suggested in 1985 that group work is essential because it increases the quality and relevance of help or wanting help this can be done by sharing information, feelings, comparing attitudes, experiences and the development of relationships. Coulshed and Orme (1998, p. 12) see groups work as the capacity to bring change, encouragement of participants to disclose aspects of their lives and behaviours. Both authors' sees group work as it can utilize personal resources for members to improve the capacity to help or be helped (Coulshed & Orme 1998, p. 12). However these authors do not take into consideration the complex nature of group dynamics and both devote space to encourage workers to gain appropriate ...