Les Amis' service users shape future social workers' understanding of learning disabilities

During Carer's Week 2024 (10-14 June), Les Amis joined forces with the Learning Disability Service and Highlands College to facilitate a lecture, delivered by Dr Sinead Peacock-Brennan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist. The lecture for student social workers outlined her research on how adults with learning disabilities build relationships with their support workers.

Les Amis service users, Simon, Shamina and Stephen (pictured), discussed in Dr Peacock-Brennan's research, were featured in short videos co-produced by Les Amis’ Paul Watson, a social worker himself, with over twenty years’ experience. Together with the student social workers, they took part in small group discussions during the event to provide first-hand insight into their lived experience.

Dr Peacock-Brennan said: “This innovative lecture format provides a powerful opportunity for student social workers to learn about the experiences of people with a learning disability from them directly. We hope that this will increase opportunities for more research with people with a learning disability, whose voices are often missing from the evidence-base.”

The students described the session as "extremely beneficial", saying: "Hearing the voices and opinions in person emphasises the value of keeping the person at the centre. This experience will influence how we practice in the future."

Paul Watson, Les Amis’ Operations Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead commented: "We are thrilled to partner with the Learning Disability Service and Highlands College to shape the future of social work.”