Personal relationships training for adults with learning disabilities

I wrote recently to the County Council seeking assurances that work in the area of personal relationships is being continued with adults with learning disabilities if they so choose. I read a couple of months ago in The Citizen that a relationships course was suspended following a complaint by a parent.

Some 15 years ago I was a Social Worker who managed daycare services and developed and led personal relationships policy and training for several local authorities and charities. There are many complex issues which need to be considered before such work takes place including policies, legal aspects, capacity to consent, assessment of sexual knowledge, and the skills that staff currently have.

I am well aware of the sensitive nature of this topic - and of the importance of this work. Too often without such work, adults with learning disabilities can be more open to abuse - and having worked with adults, their carers and staff I am convinced that such work is important in giving many real life choices, knowledge and skills of communication that many of us take for granted.

Anyway I was pleased to hear the County has restarted the courses, having had much consultation and discussion with all parties - I was slightly alarmed on hearing that mandatory written consent was required from carers as this would breach an individuals rights. The suggestion that an adult (able to give informed consent) should have a carers written permission to attend a course is a dangerous precedent and something the Disability Rights movement has fought long and hard against. I have been assured this is not the case but discussions with carers would take place where appropriate.

It was good to hear today on the radio that Help the Aged are publicising elder abuse again. A slightly different issue but one which also deserves more consideration and awareness.