The Impact of Austerity Measures on People with Intellectual Disabilities in England

Abstract

Context: UK austerity measures following the 2008 financial crisis included budget reductions for health and social care. We aimed to investigate the extent to which austerity-measures had impacted the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in England, and whether their support costs were associated with their characteristics, needs and outcomes. Objectives: We report on what services people with intellectual disabilities were using, whether they had lost care, the costs of their support, and what impact any loss of benefits and services had on individuals' lives. Methods: 150 participants with intellectual disabilities across England were interviewed about their services and their well-being. Service and individual support costs were calculated. Statistical and thematic analyses were employed. Results: The largest proportion (42%) of our sample had lost care. 14% had experienced changed care, and care had remained the same for 36%. Only 7% said their care had improved. No associations were found between costs and characteristics and needs except for whether the person had mild or severe intellectual disabilities. Those who had lost care engaged in fewer activities and had significantly lower self-esteem and quality-of-life scores compared with those who had not lost care. Loss of care impacted on individuals' independence and future aspirations. Limitations: A comparative study of austerity impacts across the whole of England was not possible. Our costs data may be underestimated because full information on support from home, key, or support workers was unavailable. Implications: In attempting to mitigate against COVID-19 impacts on people with intellectual disabilities, policy-decisions will need to consider the backlog of a decade of cuts.

Online social connections and Internet use among people with intellectual disabilities in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic

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‘I wouldn't change my flat for anything’. Is there scope for more people with learning disabilities to rent their own homes?

“…There were still participants worried about money and bills both in terms of affordability and in terms of accessibility, that is, receiving letters about money that they did not understand. The assault on support for people with learning disabilities at the edges of social care eligibility is widespread (Forrester-Jones et al, 2020, 2021 and people with learning disabilities left without support in the rented sector are disproportionately likely to be exposed to debt, eviction, exploitation, homelessness and mental health problems (Daly & Smith, 2022;Doherty, 2020;Macdonald et al, 2022;Stone et al, 2019). The costs of remedying these problems as crises mount become extremely high as 'specialist' alternatives become considered (Ince et al, 2022).…”

Adapting psychological interventions for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities: A behavioural activation exemplar

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