The Characteristics of Children with a Disability Looked After Away from Home and their Future Service Needs

Author(s): Roy McConkey, Theresa Nixon, Elizabeth Donaghy and Donna Mulhearn
Document Type: Research Paper
Year: 2003
Publisher: University of Ulster
Place of Publication: Jordanstown
Subject Area(s): Social Care
Client Group(s) : Children, Disabled

Abbreviations: HSS - Health and Social Services, NI - Northern Ireland

Background to the Research

  • Little attention has been paid to the residential care needs of children and adolescents with disabilities. While most natural parents now care for disabled children at home, with increased provision of respite breaks, the demand for such breaks far exceeds supply. Families often have to struggle on, or the children have to experience multiple placements.
  • This study had three main aims: to document, for one administrative area in NI, the characteristics of 'looked after' children with disabilities who spent at least 90 days in a twelve month period living away from the family home; to describe their current 'out-of-home' placements; and to estimate the future needs of these children as indicated by the key-worker for the child in the local H&SS Trust.

Research Approach

  • Inclusion criteria were used to identify the study population, and contacts were made with various services that work with disabled children. · The study focussed on one of the H&SS Boards (responsible for 4 H&SS Trusts) in NI, namely that which covers Belfast city and most of Co.Down. 108 children were identified, and their key worker undertook a structured interview using a standard pro forma.

Main Findings

  • The proportion of 'looked after' children varied across the 4 Trusts. Possible explanations are differences in social work ethos practices, differential staff shortages and differences in the real needs of the children and families.
  • 64 (59%) of the children were male and 44 (41%) were female. The proportion of males was higher among the 1-14 year old group than those aged 15-20 years.
  • 51% of children were reported to have severe learning disabilities, 29% had profound or multiple disabilities, 10% had mild or moderate learning disabilities, and 11% had physical disabilities.
  • Nearly half of the sample were reported to have challenging behaviour, with a third experiencing severe communication difficulties and nearly one fifth with autism or autistic spectrum disorder. 14% were classed as technologically dependent, while three children were noted as requiring a 'highly supervised' environment because of their behaviour.
  • There were significant variations across the four Trusts in terms of the children's special needs.
  • One or more family problems were listed for all but 8 of the children. Those most frequently mentioned were parents not coping/stressed, children neglected/suspected abuse, single parent, physical illness of mother or father, mental health problem and alcohol or drug abuse.
  • 8 parents were reported to have learning disabilities; a care order was in place with 8 families, and domestic violence was reported for 5 families.
  • There were significant differences across the trusts in the children's place of abode.
  • Overall, 48 children were living with their natural families on either a full-time or shared care basis; 34 were presently living in some form of residential facility; 25 children were in foster care; and 1 was in a long-term family placement. The child's place of residence was found to vary according to the age of the child and also to disabilities.
  • 14 families (from a total of 74 who had children living with them either as natural or foster parents) were reported to receive no respite services, 34 to have one respite service, 26 two respite services and 5 three or more services. This most commonly took the form of short-stays in a children's facility, followed by the use of adult facilities.
  • A total of 153 services were mentioned in terms of future service needs. Most children (72%) had only one future service need named for them.
  • Overall, the greatest need was for more respite and shared care services. The need for child and adolescent residential facility was noted for 32 children, 36 families needed in support services, and 11 children needed foster care. Again, there were differences between the 4 Trusts.
  • An attempt was made to assess the likely need for new residential services in particular, with the data suggesting that 16 children presently living with their families or with foster carers require a part- or full-time specialist residential place. A further 14 already in residential care were noted to require more appropriate accommodation. The requirements for additional respite services and foster care were difficult to identify.

Conclusions

  • These children and families have complex needs which require specialist support from a range of health and educational professionals, as well as specialist social services. Administrative systems often fail to co-ordinate the planning required.
  • Given the variations highlighted in neighbouring geographical areas, there is a need for more localized identification of needs.
  • The increased need for long-term residential options is highlighted, with new places needed to accommodate children with challenging behaviours; those with autism and a small number of technologically dependent children. However, little investment has been made in this area, placing extreme pressure on families and on community services who have a statutory duty to meet the children's needs.
  • The needs of teenagers must be factored into the planning of housing and support services for adult persons, if continuity of care is to be maintained for young adults.
  • Studies such as this are recommended to be repeated at regular intervals and at a minimum of every 5 years to review service needs.
  • Evaluations are also needed for existing residential facilties.

 

Home | About ORB | Contact


Disclaimer: © ORB 2001Tuesday, 12-Jan-2010 12:52