(duplicate) Living in a life sharing therapeutic community
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The lived experience of young people with a learning disability in a life sharing therapeutic community
IRAS ID
142946
Contact name
Berni Kelly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Camphill Community Glencraig is only one of several Camphill schools throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland which offer residential schooling in a life sharing environment, for children and young people with complex developmental needs. It would seem that little is known, outside Camphill circles, about how these young people experience their lives in such a community. The study recognises the right of young people to have their voice heard and in so doing, expand our limited knowledge in this area, gain new insights into the diversity of children's lives and influence future planning in children's services.
Research has shown that residential schooling provision for children with complex needs is often a reaction to the parents' need for help and a deteriorating home situation, rather than meeting the needs of the young person. While there is some research around disabled children living away from home (Morris, 1997; McConkey et al., 2004; Taggart et al., 2007) there is little known about their experience and what gives thier lives meaning. Indeed from an initial literature scan, there appears to be an absence of research in this area. it also appears that little is known about Camphill itself, with a distinct absence of any significant body of literature which is based on an external and detached appraisal.(Jackson, 2011).To date, the experience of these young people and their "voice" in the world of research has been hidden and silent.
A case study framework drawing on ethnographic principles and hermeneutic phenomenology will allow the researcher to observe, describe, interpret and analyse data. The study will be conducted over a period of three months and include participant observation and informal interaction with the young people, their carers and teachers.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
13/NI/0196
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion