Working together – Supporting people with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health problemsCOTSSPLD annual conference 5th October 2012College of Occupational Therapy, 106-114 Borough High Street London

COTSS-PLD members £65COTSS-MH members £75(includes 1 years membership to COTSS-PLD)Non-members £90(includes 1 years membership to COTSS-PLD)Students £70

Application FormWorking together – Supporting people with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health problemsCOTSSPLD annual conference 5th October 2012

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INTERNET OR TELEPHONE BANKING: please contact your bank and quote COTSSPLD bank account number 31202928 and sort code 40-05-19 and use COTSSPLD and your full name as a referenceCHEQUE: made payable to College of Occupational Therapists Ltd posted to the address belowAmanda Knight, COTSSPLD Administrators, Unit A4 Kingfisher House, Kingsway North, Team Valley trading Estate, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE11 0JQPlease note, we can not send invoices

In order for us to plan the workshops and smaller presentations we need to know which presentations you intend to go to. Please put a tick next to the session you would like to attend at each given time slot.

Room 3 Room 4

1130-1:00

• Occupational Therapy with adults who have learning disabilities and dementia – Jenny Cooper• Occupational Therapy, Learning Disabilities and Dementia – Moira Scanlon• Talking about Dementia –ways of making information more accessible – Mary Waight

• The use of the OCAIRS assessment within a medium secure learning disability secure unit – Hannah Grieve• What colour do you want the walls – meaningful involvement of clients in the relocation of a low secure learning disability service – David Ogden• Getting to know you” in a residential home for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems – John Pope

2:00 – 3:00

• A collaborative multi-element approach to supporting an individual with autism and a learning disability - Brian Murtagh and Jo Ball• Needs and services for those with Asperger’s syndrome – Carmen Brook-Southon

• The application of the mental capacity act with dual diagnosis (people with learning disability and mental health problems) – Sue Mesa• Learning disability audit tool – Genevieve Smyth

3:30-4:30

• A square peg in a round hole – Tricia Lyne• Reflecting on the development of an accessible DVD to promote the role of learning disability Occupational therapy - Emily Hulls

• An investigation in to acute psychiatric staff’s attitudes and self-efficacy towards adults with learning disabilities – Sue Mesa• Adapting mindfulness – Karen Prouton

Thank you for your application, we look forward to seeing you on the 5th October 2012

9:00 Registration and coffee

9:30 Welcome and opening the day – Jo Ball

9:45 Key note speech – Bob Gate

10:15

11:00 BREAK

Workshops Room 3(presentations)

Workshops Room 4(presentations)

11:30 Occupational Therapy with adults who have learning disabilities and dementia – Jenny Cooper

The use of the OCAIRS assessment within a medium secure learning disability secure unit – Hannah Grieve

12:00 Occupational Therapy, Learning Disabilities and Dementia – Moira Scanlon

What colour do you want the walls – meaningful involvement of clients in the relocation of a low secure learning disability service – David Ogden

12:30 Talking about Dementia –ways of making information more accessible – Mary Waight

“Getting to know you” in a residential home for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems – John Pope

1:00 AGM – Jo Ball, Dorian Thomas and Amanda Knight

1:20 LUNCH

Working together – Supporting people with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health problemsCOTSSPLD annual conference 5th October 2012College of Occupational Therapy, 106-114 Borough High Street

Workshops Room 3(presentations)

Workshops Room 4(Interactive sessions)

2:00 A collaborative multi-element approach to supporting an individual with autism and a learning disability - Brian Murtagh and Jo Ball

The application of the mental capacity act with dual diagnosis (people with learning disability and mental health problems) – Sue Mesa

2:30 Needs and services for those with Asperger’s syndrome – Carmen Brook-Southon

Learning disability audit tool – Genevieve Smyth

3:00 BREAKWorkshops Room 3(presentations)

Workshops Room 4(Interactive sessions)

3:30 A square peg in a round hole – Tricia Lyne

An investigation in to acute psychiatric staff’s attitudes and self-efficacy towards adults with learning disabilities – Sue Mesa

4:00 Reflecting on the development of an accessible DVD to promote the role of learning disability Occupational therapy - Emily Hulls

Adapting mindfulness – Karen Prouton

4:30 Close – Jo Ball5:00 Finish

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title:Keynote speech

Presenter: Bob Gates

We are very please to welcome professor Bob Gates who will be giving our key note speech.

Bob has thirty eight years experience in the field of learning disabilities within the NHS, and the wider health and social care economies, as well as Higher Education. During this time he has been involved in education, research and has a number of publications to his name including the oxford handbook of intellectual disability nursing, (2009), Learning Disabilities: towards inclusion (2007).

Bob is the founding Editor and co - editor of Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, an editorial member of Journal for Child Health, Consultant Editor for Learning Disability Practice, and International Board member for Working Papers in The Health Sciences - University of Southampton e-journal, and member of the editorial board for Understanding Intellectual Disability and Health  http://www.intellectualdisability.info

He is patron of ‘Friendly Bombs' a theatre group for people with learning disabilities based in Slough and ‘CALL' a county wide citizen advocacy scheme in Lincolnshire.  He is an NMC reviewer for the UK and fellow of the Royal Institute for Anthropology

His interests in the field are varied but mainly focus on challenging behaviour, disability, advocacy, learning disability education and workforce issues.

Most recently he wrote a paper entitled Learning Disability Nursing: Task andFinish Group Report for the Professional and Advisory Board for Nursing andMidwifery which resulted in the development of a new Centre for Learning Disability Studies. Bob is now leading this development. He hopes to create collaborative links with the specialist section . He welcomes your thoughts about how we can achieve this.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title:TBC

Presenter:

About this presentation:

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title:Occupational Therapy with adults who have learning disabilities and dementia

Presenter: Jenny Cooper

About this presentation:This presentation will share the research findings of a project completed as part fulfilment of a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Research by Lillywhite and Haines (2010) emphasised the strong desire for people who have a learning disability to access generic services where possible.Goodman et al (2009) recognised how the role of the occupational therapist is evolving with old age in people who have a learning disability. The aim of the research study was to explore the perceptions of occupational therapists on their role in end-of-life care for adults who have a learning disability and dementia. A qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews was conducted with a purposive sample of five specialist occupational therapists working within community learning disability teams. Thematic analysis of data was used. The findings of the study suggested that it would be advantageous for specialist occupational therapists based in learning disability teams to take the lead in end of life care for people who have a learning disability and dementia, facilitating joint working with generic services in areas such as equipment provision. Findings also suggested that the occupational therapists should aim to promote long term participation in occupation to enhance quality of life.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title:Occupational Therapy, Learning Disabilities and Dementia

Presenter: Moira Scanlon

About this presentation:In a piece of qualitative research I completed in 2010, Carers identified a number of areas of difficulty and key supports that would have enabled them to care more effectively for the person with a learning disability dementia. A lack of timely equipment and adaptations often resulted in the person moving from their current home, whilst an inability to engage the person in meaningful activity caused particular stress to carers. OT’s have specialist skils in these areas and could be pro-actively facilitating better care for people with a learning disability diagnosed with dementia, and their carers. The ‘Dementia Design Audit Tool’ as well as photo examples from Stirling University will be used to generate thinking about equipment, adaptation and best practice in dementia design. This will be followed by a brief look at meaningful activity and some resources to enable OT’s to facilitate meaningful activity and encourage re-engagement through the use of graded activity.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: Talking about Dementia –ways of making information more accessible

Presenter: Mary Waight

About this presentation:We have been working on project to help people with learning disabilities understand about dementia for when either a family member has developed dementia or if they are living with a friend who has it. The aim of the project is to get the information right so that it is at a level that the indivudal can understand. In order to do this we have undertaken joint assessments with the SLT initially looking at language comprehension. We have then assessed the best method of passing on information eg. use of the written word, use of computers and access needs. We looked at what information was available already and as part of the MDT discussed what would be required. Appropriate information has been developed for each person based on their level of language understanding and literacy needs a well as access needs. The presentation will demonstrate the different methods used and discuss feedback received.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: The use of the OCAIRS assessment within a medium secure learning disability secure unit

Presenter: Hannah Grieve

About this presentation:A literature search was carried out to look at the current use of the OCAIRS assessment within forensic learning disability services. The OCAIRS assessment is commonly used in forensic mental health services, with a strong research and literature base as well as adapted questions. The use of OCAIRS within the learning disability forensic services appears to be more limited, with the preferred MOHO assessment being the MOHOST, due to the ability to utilise other sources of information in order to inform and complete the assessment. As a service, we have looked at adapting the OCAIRS assessment and some of the OCAIRS concepts, so that the assessment is more accessible and can be used within our medium and low secure learning disability service, in order to provide a more collaborative approach to assessment and give more ownership of the assessment process back to the client. It provide an open forum to discuss roles, values and responsibilities, as well as offence related issues. The development that we would be keen to share with others, is the use of an adapted OCAIRS assessment for use within forensic learning disability services, and the benefits of same.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: What colour do you want the walls – meaningful involvement of clients in the relocation of a low secure learning disability service

Presenter: David Ogden

About this presentation:Newhaven was a learning disability low secure unit based in West YorkshireIn 2010 the unit was due to relocate to an existing building offsite which would be refurbished to our needs.Concerns were expressed by the service users who wanted to be as involved in the project as possible. The service users have a range of disabilities and the objective was to meaningfully involve everyone in the process of the move.A service user representative elected by client group attended the in house development meetings to put across patients views, supported by staff members.From these meetings the views were taken forward to meetings by staff representatives and, dependent on leave, service users. Ideas from the service users were incorporated into plans following robust discussions with planners and architects During the build phase of the project it was suggested that a video diary be produced by clients with leave. This was following an earlier successful production of a DVD for new clients and their families. The idea kept all clients meaningfully involved in building project and proved an effective way of keeping service users engaged with the developments.The project won the SWYT user and carer involvement award 2011.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: “Getting to know you” in a residential home for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems

Presenter: John Pope

About this presentation:Huntercombe House, Peterlee is a residential facility for adults with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties and other conditions. We have been open since May 2010 and have successfully enabled a number of individuals to move into less supported environments, living in the community following a period of rehabilitation with us. We want to celebrate our service and see the conference as an opportunity for us to share our knowledge/experiences with other professionals. We are particularly keen on the implementation of the client centred approach and the positive benefits this has on adults with learning disabilities. We want to raise awareness of the importance of this, ensuring those working in this area continue to promote this practice. We have a number of different tools we would like to share with the conference (including the Pool Activity Level and its benefits within this area). We also want to celebrate the impact of having Occupational Therapy and experienced Nurses within the residential model. The implementation of health professionals within the residential model ensures that the individuals receive the right support, which is meaningful and person centred. We want to share examples of how this model works and the benefits this can have on the individual's rehabilitation.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: A collaborative multi-element approach to supporting an individual with autism and a learning disability

Presenters: Brian Murtagh and Jo Ball

About this presentation:We would like to present a case study about a young man with an autistic spectrum condition who presented with problematic behaviours which limited his access to meaningful community participation and impacted on his quality of life. A multi-professional approach allowed us to explore different aspects of this presentation and deliver a package of care that drew from the expertise of a community learning disability nursing, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy . We used a range of evidence based interventions including risk assessment, social stories, sensory processing, and health action planning. At the centre of this collaboration was the service user who was driven and directed these inventions. Whilst he can not be at the presentation he has kindly produced a DVD talking about one aspect of his care and has also produced illustrations to supplement the vocabulary used in the social stories.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title:Needs and services for those with Asperger’s syndrome

Presenter: Carmen Brock-Southon

Aspergers Syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder which is evident from early childhood and is on the autistic spectrum due to similarities with autism. This client group typically have co morbid illness and it is often difficult to distinguish between personality, mental health problems, sensory modulation problems and the syndrome making it difficult as occupational therapists to diagnose the cause of some occupational difficulties. The correct medical diagnosis is key as components of mental illness such as schizophrenia and OCD may be mistaken as features of the syndrome. Diagnostic criteria include Impairment in social interaction, restricted repetitive patterns of interests and behaviour, difficulty with language and communication, there is no language delay as in autism and IQ is normal or above average. The main occupational problems are difficulties with social awareness; managing emotions; sensory processing; managing change; rigid thinking pattern, executive function difficulties and language. A range of MDT standardized assessments are used to highlight problems areas, the main OT interventions are social skills training; adapting the sensory environment; exposure; behavioural activation; daily living skills training inclusive of community skills and vocational training. There are few services available in this current climate but specialist residential placements exist along with the national autistic society.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: The application of the mental capacity act with dual diagnosis (people with learning disability and mental health problems)

Presenter: Sue Mesa

About this presentation:The Mental Capacity Act (2005) came into force in 2007. It requires all health and social care professionals to review and amend their policy and practice in relation to enabling people who lack capacity to be assisted to make decisions and access services. A 2010 study published by the Mental Health Foundation has revealed that over half of health and social care professionals are failing to comply with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 when conductingassessments of mental capacity.  In this workshop participants will have the opportunity to briefly review The Mental Capacity Act and explore its application to Occupational Therapy practice with those with dual diagnosis.

Intended Outcomes: OT to be clear about the scope of the Mental Capacity Act and its interface with the Mental Health Act.OT’s to be confident regarding their professional responsibility under the Mental Capacity Act.OT’s to be signposted to further OT specific training in this area

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title:Using the learning disability practice audit tool

Presenter: Genevieve Smyth

About this presentation:In 2012 a self assessment toolkit for OTs and managers to audit practice against research recommendations in “OT and people with learning disabilities” (Lillywhite and Haines 2010) was launched. The tool uses a colour coded self rating system so OTs can monitor their own progress or monitor progress by the whole team. It is hoped that the tool will further help implementation of the recommendations and therefore shape the future of OT practice. This session will describe the development of the audit tool, explore the content including the research recommendations and make suggestions about how it could be used in everyday practice.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: A square peg in a round hole

Presenter: Tricia Lyne and Annette Henriques

About this presentation:

The paper will outline the challenges of working with clients with mental health problems and Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). A case study will be presented to illustrate the difficulties encountered, particularly accessing appropriate services and resources. This will incorporate a description of how practice was adapted to take into account an individual’s needs. The vocational needs of this client group shall be also explored, with an emphasis on strengths to encourage recovery and inclusion (Department of Health 2010).  Issues to be raised include:Gaps in servicesProvision challengesModifications to interventionsEncouraging self-awarenessWorking with strengthsReducing stigmaSupporting Families/ Friends/ CarersPromoting Social inclusion, Recovery and Mental Wellbeing

Finally the changes occurring within Mental Health Services and the opportunities for collaborative working to improve provision for people who do not meet the criteria for existing services will be discussed. Thus possible developments to build a better future for people with mental health problems and AS will be put forward.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: Reflecting on the development of an accessible DVD to promote the role of learning disability Occupational therapy

Presenter: Emily Hulls

About this presentation:As a specialist learning disability Occupational Therapy service we wanted to promote our role to service users, service commissioners and other professionals and agencies who work with people with learning disabilities. We noted that learning disability services is an area areas of practice without a specific film available on the COT website. We decided to develop our own DVD that focused on what we could deliver as an OT service. The aim of the DVD was to support service users to make an informed decision about engaging in occupational therapy, encourage commissioners to continue to support our service and raise awareness of our profession and our specialist service. We would like to share our experiences of producing the DVD, what went well, the challenges we faced and reflect on what we would do differently. We hope that our presentation may inspire and instill confidence in other Occupational Therapists to produce a similar resource.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: An investigation in to acute psychiatric staff’s attitudes and self-efficacy towards adults with learning disabilities

Presenter: Sue Mesa

About this presentation:This presentation will share the research findings of a project completed as part fulfilment of a MSc Mental Health in Learning Disability

‘Current UK policy directs that people with learning disabilities should access mainstream inpatient psychiatric services wherever possible. Amongst learning disability specialists there are mixed opinions, with some raising concern that staff within mainstream services have negative attitudes towards those with learning disability and lack skills and confidence. There is a dearth of UK based research to look at whether these concerns reflect the reality and non in inpatient care. This study investigates the attitudes and self-efficacy of inpatient staff to people with learning disability.

Intended Outcomes: To reflect on the type of psychiatric care on offer to clients with learning disability in your practice area and how you/your team supports psychiatric admissions into mainstream psychiatric care.

Presentation Abstracts:

Presentation title: Adapting mindfulness for people with Learning Disabilities

Presenter: Karen Prouton

About this presentation:Mindfulness “means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgementally” (Jon Kabat-Zinn 2004). Research has shown that mindfulness based practices are effective in the management of difficulties such as anxiety, depression, stress and anger and it’s application is recognised within the NICE guidelines for ‘Common Mental Health Disorders’ (DOH 2011). Despite a good deal of interest in the area, there is little published research in relation to mindfulness for the learning disabled population. Within the New Forest Integrated Learning Disability Team, Occupational Therapy has been working in collaboration with Clinical Psychology to develop an adapted mindfulness group for people with a learning disability who also experience emotional and mental health difficulties. It was felt that the basic premise is a very simple one which can be utilised by our service users and Occupational Therapy has much to offer in terms of using everyday and sensory activities to help people focus on the present moment.The 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme (Williams 2011) has been personally experienced by the OT and is being used as a basis for developing an adapted mindfulness based programme to be offered for groups or individually. A suitable outcome measure is also being explored. This is an exciting development and may in time be offered to carers and staff experiencing stress and burnout. Current progress will be shared.