News Release, 27 April 2004
A disturbing new report from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is due to be published on Tuesday 27 April. It shows that many people with learning disabilities are not given time and support to have their own space, develop and maintain friendships, celebrate, grieve, reflect, pray, and belong to a faith community.
The report, Why Are We Here? is based on a 2-year UK-wide research project, including interviews with people with learning disabilities, and their families, carers and support staff. According to the report:
- Carers and support workers are ill-equipped to deal with the spiritual and religious needs of people with learning disabilities
- The lack of attention to the area continues, despite a growing body of scientific evidence that spirituality is a basic human need, vital for mental and physical health
- Care services which don't enable people with learning disabilities to freely express their spirituality are neglecting an important aspect of the human rights act, with serious legal and moral implications
Carers interviewed for the report had no education or training in the area, so it was difficult for them to recognise and explore it. They also stressed that care plans focus on physical needs and do not address emotional ones. As one support worker put it: "There's a box to tick to say 'I've cooked the tea', but there's no box to tick to say 'I have helped Bruce to think about mortality'."
Many care staff said they simply don't have time to address spiritual needs in their day-to-day work.
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities said:
"Where carers are over-stretched, under-staffed and under-supported, addressing spiritual needs can appear to be an unnecessary burden. But the spiritual dimensions of the lives of people with learning disabilities must not be overlooked. We are talking here about the most fundamental aspects of what it means to be human."
"Developing a sense of belonging and feeling valued must be accepted as a basic building block when developing care services for people with learning disabilities in a society where they are often profoundly undervalued."
The report draws particular attention to grief, loss and disconnection. Death remains a taboo subject for many carers and support workers. The report shows that people with learning disabilities' reactions and grieving needs are often wrongly assumed to be different from those of the rest of the population. This can lead to their being denied opportunities to grieve when they lose someone they're close to.
ENDS
Return to news releases 2004
Note to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
- Spread knowledge and information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
