Understanding Families: 3

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Why it is important to work with families?

A different way of seeing the world - professionals and families

Contrast the following quotes:

"What have families got to do with the national learning disability strategy? This is a strategy for people with learning disabilities not families."

Comment from the head of a national organisation at the launch of the strategy in December 1999

"Families are the disabled persons greatest resource."

Mother describing her 24 hour role as carer for her learning disabled daughter

There is often a very big gap between how families perceive their role in relation to their learning disabled adult son or daughter and the way professionals perceive them. How do we account for the differences represented by these two quotes and the perspectives they represent? How can we change things? One way is for staff in services to develop a greater understanding of the valuable role families play in the lives of people with learning disabilities.

Exercise 3

List the reasons why you think it is important to work with families.

What do you think are some of the negative consequences for the person with learning disabilities if their families and services are in conflict?

Can you give any examples from your own work?

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