New research sets out framework for care services to promote emotional wellbeing for children with additional needs and their families
14 October 2024
New research has been published to add to the national discussion about models of care that promote the emotional wellbeing of Children with Additional Needs (CAN) and their families.
The research highlights the importance of working directly with children and families, setting out a framework to involving them in all aspects of the care pathway to improve their emotional wellbeing.
Improvement Cymru’s Learning Disability programme commissioned Consultant Child Psychologist Dr Jennifer McElwee and Assistant Psychologist Luciana Oliver from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to carry out the research.
The research project has worked closely with children and their families. The project was also informed by the experiences of healthcare professionals who deliver services. It follows an earlier literature review and evaluation of national care models and frameworks providing care for children and young people with a learning disability in Wales.
Meeting a ‘Policy Implementation Gap’
Rebecca Curtis, a Senior Improvement Manager for Improvement Cymru’s Learning Disability programme, said:
“The purpose of the research is to assess the gap between the recommendations of official policy and what is actually happening in the lives of children and their families, which is known as a ‘Policy Implementation Gap.’
“The report has set out a framework for services to promote emotional wellbeing for children with additional needs and their families. It has gone a step further to explore the reality facing both service providers and service users by evaluating of some aspects of this framework in practice within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
“Children with additional needs need a joined-up approach from local authorities, health and social care, and the third sector. That’s why it’s important for us to understand how the framework is carried out by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and to learn from their ways of working with other agencies across Gwent to plan, develop and provide care.”
Key findings
The research findings will be shared with Regional Partnership Boards across Wales, and other multi-disciplinary forums and communities of practice. The research aims to influence, shape, and improve service delivery and models of working.
Some of the key findings include:
- In order to thrive, children with additional needs and their families must be supported to have a good quality of life and to be part of their local communities.
- Specialist support works best when it is co-produced, person-centred, and holistic.
- Children with additional needs and their families should be equal partners in all aspects of their care.
- A co-ordinated multi-agency approach to support at all levels allows greater opportunities for promoting emotional wellbeing. This means from working directly with children and families to inform strategic planning and policy making.
- Residential placements have financial and emotional cost implications. A psychologically informed approach to support can reduce the need for residential care and increase the chances of children continuing to live at home.
Read the findings in full now.
About the authors
Improvement Cymru’s Learning Disability Programme works to create a safer and fairer Wales for people living with a learning disability. The programme works with people throughout Wales to deliver projects that improve the health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability because everyone in the community deserves effective and efficient care that meets their individual needs.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is responsible for planning and delivering NHS services in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and South Powys. It provides care to a population of 650,000 people and employs over 14,000 staff.