New report launched: The experiences of family carers of people with learning disabilities during Covid-19 and the ‘new normal’
Over five years have passed since the first national lockdown in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic but the impact is still being felt. It is important to learn from the experiences of family carers of people with learning disabilities during this time.
Family carers shared their experiences of lockdown during the Covid- 19 pandemic for a report produced by The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, in collaboration with the Sharland Foundation Developmental Disabilities Applied Behavioural Research and Impact Network (SF-DDARIN) and the Tizard Centre, University of Kent. The report is called “The experiences of family carers of people with learning disabilities during Covid-19 and good practice recommendations for the ‘new normal’”.
The information shared by family carers about their experiences during the pandemic, both positive and negative, may help us understand what went well or what was challenging, and how to improve support in the future.
The findings will be shared with policymakers, professionals, and services to identify potential changes to limit challenges and disruptions in support and care in both everyday life and in the context of a future unprecedented circumstance (e.g., another pandemic). The findings can be combined with existing knowledge of best practice for people with learning disabilities, to create a broader understanding of how best to support family carers and their relatives with a learning disability.
This report was developed alongside four reports from the CBF that discuss good practice, healthcare and mental health, social care and communications and education during the Covid-19 pandemic. All of these reports are available to read here.