New best practice guidance has been created by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) for the adult social care workforce on how to reduce inequalities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
The Tackling inequalities in care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people project explored the inequalities faced by people living with learning disabilities and autistic people, such as delays in diagnosis, lack of reasonable adjustments, and ‘diagnostic overshadowing’.
This guidance aims to improve the knowledge of practical steps social care workers can take to improve experiences of care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. It also aims to increase confidence in delivering and commissioning services.
Another aim is to increase awareness of the legislative and legal frameworks that underpin practice for those working with people with a learning disability and autistic people.
SCIE said it recognises that some of the challenges that people with learning disabilities and autistic people experienced during and after the pandemic are not new. Before Covid-19, research revealed a lack of awareness, understanding and skills among the health and social care workforce about the health risks facing people with learning disabilities and how to ensure that they receive the right care.
It established the SCIE Fliers, a group of people with lived experience of learning disabilities and autism, and worked with them as part of this project to understand their experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic and draw out lessons and opportunities for learning.
This guidance encompasses learning from these discussions, working with commissioners, service providers, and people with lived experience, and drawing on existing tools and resources.
Kathryn Smith OBE, Chief Executive of SCIE, said: “SCIE’s vision is for a society that enables people who draw on social care to live fulfilling lives; where good, high-quality care maximises people’s choices and removes social inequality. It must be accessible to everyone who needs it—and empower them to live the lives they want to live.
“This guidance highlights the important steps we must take to achieve this vision and transform the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
“We must address systemic barriers and ensure that co-production is central to the design and delivery of care and support services. Only then will we have a system that is fair, equitable, and fit for the future.”
A video has also been created in collaboration with the SCIE Fliers to accompany the guidance as an audiovisual aid. The SCIE Fliers co-scripted and co-storyboarded the video and featured in it.
