Supporting people with learning disabilities with housing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supporting people with learning disabilities at the edges of social care in social housing and the private rented sector
IRAS ID
301389
Contact name
Deborah J Quilgars
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 0 days
Research summary
Good quality, accessible housing is essential for the delivery of appropriate social and health care to people with learning disabilities living in the community. Evidence suggests that some people with learning disabilities are living in poor and/or insecure housing or becoming homeless. There is also a concern that some people with mild to moderate learning disabilities may be missing out on getting the help with housing and social care that they need.
The aim of this study is to understand the ways that people with learning disabilities who are on the edges of social care can be better supported to access and enjoy living in their own tenancies in the community, when this is their choice.
The first stage of the research will involve a policy and practice review of housing for people with mild to moderate learning disabilities, with a particular focus on the options available for people at the edges of social care to live in ‘ordinary’ tenancies in the community. The second stage will involve interviews with people with mild to moderate learning disabilities, their families and key people in their lives who help support them. We will interview people who are living in social housing and private rented tenancies. We will include people who are receiving different types of social care. Approximately 120 interviews would be carried out. Respondents will also be invited to record their housing experiences in a creative way through craft work and/or photography.
This study is a collaboration between the University of York, the University of Bristol, two national providers of housing and housing support services (HFT and Riverside), the national learning user network (Learning Disability England) and the network for those working in specialist housing and care in England and Wales (Housing LIN).REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
21/IEC08/0028
Date of REC Opinion
7 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion