Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an examination of the development of adult safeguarding policy from the perspectives of both policymakers and those who have sought to influence policy, to empower individuals with a learning disability to have a say in how policies, that influence their life and impact their right to independence, are developed.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on a project which was led by a UK-wide interdisciplinary and multi-agency team, which included the central involvement of peer researchers who had lived experience of learning disability. It was based on a participatory disability research design.
Findings
Factors which enabled or restrained individuals with a learning disability, and their supporting organisations, from getting their voice heard in policy development, are identified.
Originality/value
This paper builds on policy theory and research, making recommendations for policy makers, disabled people and their supporting organisations as to how adult safeguarding policy, could be more effectively informed and influenced.
The purpose of this paper is to present an examination of the development of adult safeguarding policy from the perspectives of both policymakers and those who have sought to influence policy, to empower individuals with a learning disability to have a say in how policies, that influence their life and impact their right to independence, are developed.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on a project which was led by a UK-wide interdisciplinary and multi-agency team, which included the central involvement of peer researchers who had lived experience of learning disability. It was based on a participatory disability research design.
Findings
Factors which enabled or restrained individuals with a learning disability, and their supporting organisations, from getting their voice heard in policy development, are identified.
Originality/value
This paper builds on policy theory and research, making recommendations for policy makers, disabled people and their supporting organisations as to how adult safeguarding policy, could be more effectively informed and influenced.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 384-396 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Journal of Adult Protection |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 20 Oct 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This project, funded by Disability Research on Independent Living and Learning, examined the development of adult safeguarding policy and legislation from the perspectives of both policy makers and those who have sought to influence policy, within the differing socio-political contexts of the four UK nations. Based on the findings of the research, and building on the current evidence base, recommendations were made around how best to maximise the influence of people with a learning disability on adult safeguarding policymaking. The key project objectives were to:
Funding Information:
This project was funded by ‘Disability Research on Independent Living and Learning (DRILL), a 5 year programme of research and pilot projects run by, for and about disabled people in the UK between 2015 and 2020. The authors would like to acknowledge the input of the peer researchers in this project, and thank them for their commitment and skill. The peer researchers were Ms Ursula Campbell, Ms Leanne Gibson, Ms Jadzia Menham, Mr Alex Parkinson, Mr Ethan Redmond, Mr Joseph Turnbull
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Keywords
- Adult safeguarding
- Learning disability
- Legislation
- Participatory research
- Peer research
- Policymaking
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science
- Law