Towards a Full Life: Researching Policy Innovation for People with Learning Disabilities

This book describes the results and implications of a sustained programme of research into a national policy to improve the quality of life and social standing of people with learning disabilities. It provides a case study of policy implementation from the perspectives of those involved. Research findings and universally applicable approaches are presented in a readable manner for busy practitioners.



The focus is on the ""All Wales Strategy"" - a mould-breaking national policy which has direct relevance to all who are concerned about responsive, person-centred community care. The book draws out principles which have a bearing on multi-disciplinary practice at the levels of individual, service provision and policy formulation.

'The All Wales Strategy was a radical attempt to bring about change in the lives of people with learning difficulties. From 1983 until 1994, the Welsh Office encouraged local service providers to think creatively about new ways of supporting people with learning difficulties and their families. In this excellent collection of essays Felce, Grant and their research colleagues provide an overview of their endeavors to record the successes and failures of the strategy. Five chapters are concerned with policy analysis, others deal with changes in the work patterns of multi-disciplinary teams, consumer involvement and advocacy, innovations in the provision of residential services, changes in arrangements for supporting families and daytime activities. What was achieved? In Wales the transfer of the lead commisioning role from health to local authority was much more thoroughgoing than in England. NHS trusts in Wales have not been tempted to commission residential or day services and have stayed true to their health brief. The strategy has now ended and we are greatly indebted to the two research teams for their skilled analysis of the many lessons which can be learned from this unique social experiment.
Oliver Russell, Director, Norah Fry Research Centr

For the longest time I have had the greatest of respect for all publications carrying David Felce's name, and this book is no exception. I did have concerns at the outset. The title suggested something very ambitious indeed, if it was to cover the whole of the UK. Happily, on actual reading my concerns rapidly disappeared. The book is in fact about the 'All Wales Strategy' for people with learning disabilities, but no less relevant to those in other parts of the UK. ... The book's contents provide a comprehensive review and evaluation of the strategy, starting with its inception in 1983 and continuing to the present day and ahead to what a 'new All Wales Strategy' should aim to achieve. It is extremely well-referenced, refreshingly objective and realistic about its findings, thought-provoking, and surprisingly easy to read, given it is about policy. ... a worthy New Testament to guide policy makers and providers in the rest of the UK. Highly recommended.
Mental Health Care, July 1999, p. 394 Vol 21 No. 1