Research: In Search of Flourishing Lives

Research summary

• June 2020 – July 2022

The project looks at how social care can better support people with learning disabilities, so they can do the things they value and lead fulfilling lives.

Research suggests that people with learning disabilities lack friendships and jobs, and have a lower-than-average life expectancy. And little seems to be improving despite government research and policy changes.

Objectives

We will use a capability approach to explore how people with learning disabilities can lead flourishing lives.

This approach highlights the importance having the opportunity to do the things we value, which is the key to wellbeing. 

We will examine what enabling social care support looks like and how it can be used.

Methodology

We are taking a capability approach — using flexible methods that enable people with learning disabilities to take part.

We will:

• identify examples of good social care from existing literature
• conduct focus groups and interviews with people with learning disabilities and family carers to review these examples
• work with providers to find out how good support can be delivered through a learning community of support workers and managers, people with learning disabilities, family carers and researchers

Expected outcomes and outputs

We will co-produce a Flourishing Lives guide. With people with learning disabilities, we will take the guide on tour to key stakeholders.