Engaging partners: realising the hopes of adults with learning disabilities – the staff and parent/carer partnership in sex and relationship support

People with learning disabilities have hopes for making friends, having good relationships and having a special person in their life. Communicating those wishes, including their sexuality needs, requires those involved in supporting their lifestyle to work together.

Parents and carers are a valuable resource in creating positive partnerships with staff and with the person with learning disability. Working together, parents/carers and staff can gain a full understanding of the sexuality needs of the person with learning disability, address the issues identified, and respond using a consistent approach.

This course considers what is required to develop a dialogue and working relationship on this sensitive aspect of personal life with an adult with learning disability.

The course is for people directly supporting adults with learning disabilities in the community, home or service provider settings and for those involved in creating a person-centred support plan with people with disabilities.

Aim

To examine the relationship between staff and parents/carers as supportive partners in working with the sex and relationship desires and needs of adults with learning disability.

Learning outcomes

• Examine the barriers and benefits of staff and parents/carers working together.
• Consider how sexuality impacts on the partnership approach.
• Generate ideas for engaging parents, carers, staff and the adult with disability on sexuality and relationship concerns.