Life Skills Training for Adults with Learning Disabilities/Autism
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving life skills training (EAST)
IRAS ID
237396
Contact name
Ciara Padden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 0 days
Research summary
Background
Many approaches to supporting employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) exist, some of which could be described as life skills training. Life skills are any skills that help people deal with everyday challenges in life, such as managing their own healthcare or taking part in leisure activities. We are talking here about formal, structured programmes that teach these skills. While this could lead to paid employment, it could also serve other important purposes, such as increasing independence and reducing social care needs. However, little is known about the objectives, experiences or outcomes of life skills training programmes, or the barriers to accessing and participating in these programmes in the United Kingdom.Therefore, we aim to:
1.Identify the characteristics of people with IDD who are accessing life skills training.
2.Explore the expectations of people with IDD, family members, and service providers in relation to life skills training.
3.Explore the outcomes and benefits of life skills training.
4.Explore the barriers to delivering or receiving life skills training.
5.Learn about the pathways taken through life skills training.What we will do / Who will take part
Qualitative methods will primarily be used to explore experiences of adults with IDD, family members, and service providers, as follows:
1.Semi-structured interviews will be carried out with 20 adults with IDD who are currently attending, or have recently attended, life skills training.
2.10-13 family members (parents or siblings) of adults with IDD who receive/have received life skills training will be invited to take part in a focus group, and semi-structured interviews will be carried out with 7-10 family members.
3.Finally, representatives from 10-20 service providers (organisations, day services, and colleges) that offer life skills training for adults with IDD will be invited to take part in a telephone interview.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2077
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion