Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

Mittler and Mittler (1994) argued that for many years’ parents of children with special needs were left largely unsupported and received little help from professionals. At this time the professional was recognised as the sole expert to manage and make decisions for a person’s care. Thankfully now parents are encouraged to collaborate with professionals. Many government policies have argued that families have the legal and moral right to be involved in the decision making process that affect the life of a person with learning disabilities. The concept of families working together with professional is referred to as partnership. This concept has been developing over recent years due to research and the publication of government policies. For example, the Children Act (2004) generated the establishment of partnership between local agencies to promote the well-being of children; and the Department of Health’s (2002) Keys to Partnership provided guidance on the development of partnership for agencies involving planning and providing services for people with learning disabilities. Partnership is a multi-level concept and process, involving socio-legal, ideological, organizational and ethical aspects as well as personal and interpersonal dimensions (Dale 2000 p. 290)
The implications and benefits of partnership and collaboration for effectively working together with families will be examined. In conjunction, the issues that are faced by a family who live with a child with learning disabilities will also be explored. The family in question has been observed and worked closely with over a six week period. The specific issues that the family confront are social, psychological, physical and educational. Further more, after observing and discussions with the family a case for change will be investigated using a partnership approach. The case for change endeavours to benefit and reduce the issues that the surround the family unit. A conclusion will be drawn to how the...