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Self-Injury and People with Learning Difficulties Introduction Bristol Crisis Service for Women is working in collaboration with the Norah Fry Research Centre at the University of Bristol to find out about the experiences of people with learning difficulties who self-injure. Research considering the views of people without learning difficulties, suggests that for them self-injury has a clear function and is largely used as a coping strategy for dealing with emotional distress. They advocate the use of counselling or therapies, to develop a broad repertoire of coping skills. Traditionally, self-injury in people with learning difficulties has been understood within a biological framework. It has been regarded as ‘maladaptive’ or ‘challenging behaviour’, and often managed by behavioural responses including aversive techniques, and medication. Key aims of the Project 1. To find out more about the experiences of people with learning difficulties who self-injure, and their family/carers. 2. To explore in what ways they have been supported by the services and professionals who support them. 3. To identify ideas, and then produce resources for training and policy development. Methods We will aim to interview ten people with learning difficulties who self-injure in England , and five in each of Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland. With the consent of the person with learning difficulties, we would also aim to interview a family member/carer and professionals (if appropriate) supporting them. Advice to the project To ensure involvement of people with learning difficulties, the research team will work with two people with learning difficulties with personal experience of self-injury to act as consultants throughout the project. The research will also be supported by a research advisory group with relevant academic, professional and policy experience in this area. Publications Outputs and publications from the project will include: Final report and summary This report, with an executive summary, will present the findings from the research. We will also produce an accessible summary of findings for people with learning difficulties. Resource pack This pack will be developed in the light of our findings and will be a training/resource pack for staff (and family carers) supporting people with learning difficulties who self-injure. Booklets about self-injury and people with learning difficulties We will produce a booklet about Self-injury and people with learning difficulties , plus an illustrated, accessible booklet for people with learning difficulties. Launch events We will launch the final report, booklets and training pack at a launch event in each country of the UK. The researchers on the project : Dr Pauline Heslop is Research Fellow at NFRC. She has extensive experience of working with people with learning difficulties in professional and research environments. Fiona Macaulay is Project Worker for BCSW’s Information Service. She has experience in researching and developing a range of information about self-injury. Further Information We would love to hear from you if you: 1. Would like your contact details to be kept by the research team, who will then send you regular updates about the progress of the study 2. Know of any people with learning difficulties who self-injure, living in or near Bristol, who might like to work with us as Advisors to the project 3. Know of any people with learning difficulties who self-injure who we could interview about their experiences. There are no distance limitations on this – we are covering England, Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland! Finally, we’d be grateful if you could let other people know about the project and pass our information on to anyone who might be interested. For further information about the project, please contact: Pauline Heslop e-mail : pauline.heslop@bristol.ac.uk Fiona Macaulay e-mail : fiona.bcsw@btconnect.com
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