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NEWS EXTRA

Human Rights Act covers people with learning disabilities too, warns report on religion and spirituality

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Human Rights Act - yet the most basic religious and spiritual needs of many people with learning disabilities are not being met, according to the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities.

In a report published this week: Why are we here? Meeting the spiritual needs of people with learning disabilities, the Foundation says that policy and management priorities omit the significance of spirituality from services for people with learning disabilities. It also shows that faith communities have the potential to offer support, friendship and inclusion, but many activities and services exclude people with learning disabilities.

The report is aimed at faith communities, care providers, support staff, service user groups, professional bodies, family carers, training providers and policymakers.

Why are we here? shows that many people with learning disabilities have rich spiritual lives, and want people to take this seriously as a vital dimension of the care and support they receive. It is a source of social and psychological support, and a crucial aspect in the development of friendship, connection, acceptance and self-worth.

The report draws particular attention to grief, loss and disconnection. Death remains a taboo subject for many carers and support workers. The report identifies a fear of 'doing damage', and an underlying assumption that the grieving needs of people with learning disabilities are somehow different from those of the rest of the population.

One example is the story of a middle-aged man named Graham, who took part in the research. Graham's mother's death was never addressed directly with him. Indeed on the day of his mother's funeral Graham's family decided that he shouldn't be allowed to attend as it would be 'too upsetting'.

He stayed at home with a friend of the family he had never met. Graham's last memory of his mother was peeking through the closed curtains and seeing the family and the hearse move away from the front of the house.

Graham's support worker spent a lot of time with Graham explaining what had happened and allowing him to spend time at his mother's grave. Only then was Graham able to grieve properly.

Why are we here? is available from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, price: £17.50. Call 020 7802 0304 or visit www.learningdisabilities.org.uk

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is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		NEWS EXTRA Human Rights Act covers people with learning disabilities too, warns report on religion and spirituality Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Human Rights Act - yet the most basic religious and spiritual needs of many people with learning disabilities are not being met, according to the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. In a report published this week: Why are we here? Meeting the spiritual needs of people with learning disabilities, the Foundation says that policy and management priorities omit the significance of spirituality from services for people with learning disabilities. It also shows that faith communities have the potential to offer support, friendship and inclusion, but many activities and services exclude people with learning disabilities. The report is aimed at faith communities, care providers, support staff, service user groups, professional bodies, family carers, training providers and policymakers. Why are we here? shows that many people with learning disabilities have rich spiritual lives, and want people to take this seriously as a vital dimension of the care and support they receive. It is a source of social and psychological support, and a crucial aspect in the development of friendship, connection, acceptance and self-worth. The report draws particular attention to grief, loss and disconnection. Death remains a taboo subject for many carers and support workers. The report identifies a fear of 'doing damage', and an underlying assumption that the grieving needs of people with learning disabilities are somehow different from those of the rest of the population. One example is the story of a middle-aged man named Graham, who took part in the research. Graham's mother's death was never addressed directly with him. Indeed on the day of his mother's funeral Graham's family decided that he shouldn't be allowed to attend as it would be 'too upsetting'. He stayed at home with a friend of the family he had never met. Graham's last memory of his mother was peeking through the closed curtains and seeing the family and the hearse move away from the front of the house. Graham's support worker spent a lot of time with Graham explaining what had happened and allowing him to spend time at his mother's grave. Only then was Graham able to grieve properly. Why are we here? is available from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, price: £17.50. Call 020 7802 0304 or visit www.learningdisabilities.org.uk © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.