NEWS
New guide for adaptations for children and young people with behaviours that challenge
There needs to be a better understanding of the needs of people with autism and / or learning disabilities in housing adaptations and the system-wide cost benefits , according to a new independent review from Foundations .
The review outlines that while adaptations can be costly , they can enable a young person to continue to live in the family home and avoid the need for less appropriate and much more expensive residential care .
However , little is currently put into adapting housing for children and young people with behaviours that challenge . Currently , 89 per cent of disabled facilities grants ( DFGs ) are for people with a physical disability .
The review also outlines the rules and regulations relating to DFGs and discretionary housing assistance policies , as well as providing advice on how funding can be used .
The new report was written with input from both RCOT Specialist Section – Housing and RCOT Specialist Section – Children , Young People and Families , and RCOT has endorsed the final report . Other key points from the report find that :
• it is essential to see DFG funding as part of an integrated approach to meeting the needs of children or young people with autism and / or learning disabilities ;
• behaviours that challenge have a specific purpose or function , and it is important to focus on the underlying reasons rather than the behaviours themselves . Understanding the reason for the behaviours and how to create a safe sensory environment is key to responding to the needs of the individual and providing effective support ;
• flexible and creative use of the powers under the Regulatory Reform Order can enable local authorities to develop specific discretionary grants to meet the needs of children and young people with autism and / or learning disabilities ;
• the purposes for which a mandatory DFG can be given cover a wide range of situations , which may help to create a better environment for someone with autism and / or learning disabilities ; and
• multidisciplinary and multi-agency assessment and intervention planning is essential to ensure that the needs and rights of children and young people with autism and / or learning disabilities are fully understood . Paul Smith , director of Foundations , said : ‘ We ’ ve seen that very little of the disabled facilities grant budget goes towards autism and behaviours that challenge – we wanted to shine a light and show what is possible .’
Read the report at : https :// booklets . foundations . uk . com / adaptationsforbehavioursthatchallenge .
Quote of the month
© yugoro via Getty Images
We ’ ve seen that very little of the disabled facilities grant budget goes towards autism and behaviours that challenge
Foundations ’ Paul Smith
New guidance published on dementia and older people ’ s mental health
New guidance has been published for primary care networks and care homes on dementia and older people ’ s mental health . The guidance has been developed by the South East Clinical Network in collaboration with the NHS England dementia policy team and aims to equip members of staff working in care homes and primary care with an understanding of dementia and mental health conditions due to the prevalence of both disorders in care home populations .
It has been developed to reflect the enhanced health in care homes ( EHCH ) integrated model of care which now covers all people who live in care homes following changes to primary care network contracts last year .
Find the guidance at : www . southeastclinicalnetworks . nhs . uk / dementia-opmh-guidance .
HEE launches digital competency framework
A new digital competency framework for allied health professionals to find out which areas they should focus on to upskill themselves in digital technology has launched .
The new framework , from Health Education England , consists of 10 domains and 124 competencies covering topics including data management , the use of the electronic health record , digital therapeutics and digital leadership and strategy .
Occupational therapists were involved in developing the profession-specific framework which states that most of the domains identified are relevant for at least some occupational therapists . A similar framework for social care is anticipated to follow .
The framework will eventually be developed into an interactive profession specific self-assessment tool .
Access the framework at : www . hee . nhs . uk / our-work / digitalliteracy / profession-service-specific-digital-capabilities .
OTnews May 2021 11