Getting our voice heard: empowering people with a learning disability to influence adult safeguarding policy
The Journal of Adult Protection
ISSN: 1466-8203
Article publication date: 20 October 2021
Issue publication date: 30 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an examination of the development of adult safeguarding policy from the perspectives of both policymakers and those who have sought to influence policy, to empower individuals with a learning disability to have a say in how policies, that influence their life and impact their right to independence, are developed.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on a project which was led by a UK-wide interdisciplinary and multi-agency team, which included the central involvement of peer researchers who had lived experience of learning disability. It was based on a participatory disability research design.
Findings
Factors which enabled or restrained individuals with a learning disability, and their supporting organisations, from getting their voice heard in policy development, are identified.
Originality/value
This paper builds on policy theory and research, making recommendations for policy makers, disabled people and their supporting organisations as to how adult safeguarding policy, could be more effectively informed and influenced.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Disability Research on Independent Living and Learning.
Citation
Montgomery, L., Davidson, G., Kelly, B., McKendry, L., Newton, L.-A., Webb, P. and Wood, L. (2021), "Getting our voice heard: empowering people with a learning disability to influence adult safeguarding policy", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 384-396. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-07-2021-0023
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited