A randomized controlled trial of a specialist liaison worker model for young people with intellectual disabilities with challenging behaviour and mental health needs
Raghavan, R. Newell, Robert J. Waseem, F. Small, Neil A.
Raghavan, R.
Newell, Robert J.
Waseem, F.
Small, Neil A.
Publication Date
2009-05-01
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Abstract
Twenty six young people with intellectual
disabilities and mental health needs from Pakistani and
Bangladeshi communities were recruited as part of a
bigger study to examine the effectiveness of a liaison
worker in helping young people and their families
access appropriate intellectual disabilities and mental
health services.
Method Twelve young people were randomly allocated
to the treatment group, which had the help of the liaison
worker, and 14 young people were allocated to the
control group without the help of a liaison worker.
Baseline measures were undertaken with all the young
people and their carers. This was followed by a 9-month
trial, consisting of the liaison worker helping the treatment
group to get in touch with and take up appropriate
services, mainly in the areas of psychiatric
appointments, benefits advice, house adaptations, leisure
facilities and support and care for the young person.
The control group participants did not have the access
to the liaison worker and were accessing services using
the normal routine. Assessments were carried out posttreatment
to assess whether the use of a liaison worker
had had any effect on outcomes for the two groups.
Results Twelve young people completed the study in the
treatment group and 14 in the control group. Participants
allocated to the specialist liaison worker had statistically
significantly more frequent contact with
services and with more outcomes, than the control
group, and significantly lower scores on the Strengths
and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
Conclusion The use of specialist liaison services in ensuring
adequate access to services for young people with
learning disabilities and mental health needs from the
South Asian community proved to be significant and
effective compared with young people and their families
accessing services on their own.
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Raghavan R, Newell RJ, Waseem F et al (2009) A randomized controlled trial of a specialist liaison worker model for young people with intellectual disabilities with challenging behaviour and mental health needs. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 22(3): 256-263.
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