A Different Kind of Leaving - disabled young people leaving care.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Different Kind of Leaving. Leaving Care – learning from the experiences of severely disabled young people in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT).
IRAS ID
248806
Contact name
Caroline McGonigle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
A Different Kind of Leaving – learning from the experiences of severely disabled young people leaving care in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT).
The number of disabled children who live in state care (Looked After Children) in Northern Ireland has continued to increase since 2005. 14% (319) of this overall population in 2015-16 was reported as disabled, 70% of those disabled children were reported as having a learning disability. (DHSSPSNI, 2017)
Key themes identified in a literature review conducted as part of a three year research project in Northern Ireland (Dowling et al, 2012) highlighted the various definitions of disability used effecting prevalence rates. Nevertheless it identified an over representation of disabled children in care; acknowledged the vulnerability of disabled children to abuse and neglect and identified more disabled children in care with parental consent than court orders.
The limited research in relation to outcomes for disabled children was highlighted.Both researchers and government acknowledge and promotes the benefits of working in partnership with those who are in receipt of services especially in regard to service design and development. Government policy actively encourages and requires service user involvement in commissioning, developing, delivering and evaluating services.
Contrary to legislative, policy and practice commitments to listen to all service users related research identifies few studies reflecting the words and experiences of disabled children and people.This research seeks to address this gap in the research by exploring the experiences of (6) severely disabled young people aged 18 – 21 years, who made the transition from care between April 2015 and March 2018. The views of parents will be sought in lieu of those who lack capacity to participate. This rich data will support service development specific to the needs of severely disabled young people.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
18/NI/0122
Date of REC Opinion
10 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion