- The Spinning Plates project explores the impact of COVID-19 measures on family carers of people with learning disabilities
- Researchers joined John McDonnell MP and other politicians to share their recent findings
- The project has found that family carers are concerned about a lack of support and the impact this has on their health and wellbeing
Researchers from the Spinning Plates project warned politicians at Portcullis House that there is a lack of support and recognition for family carers.
John McDonnell MP invited members of the Spinning Plates team to present findings from two recent research projects to Members of the House of Commons and Lords at a parliamentary drop-in at Portcullis House.
They shared research findings which reveal that the lack of social care for people with learning disabilities means that many family carers can be compelled to support family members at home. The evidence suggests there is little recognition or support for their caring roles. Family carers have expressed fears for what will happen in the future when they can no longer care, and around the constant fights to maintain the little support they have. This all is found to have a severe detrimental impact on their mental and physical health.
The team also shared a timeline, outlining the targets set out in the Transforming Care policy agenda that have been missed since 2011.
In response, John McDonnell MP explained that the materials provided by the research teams would play a useful role as the Welfare Reform Green Paper makes its way through the stages of becoming legislation.
Professor Katherine Runswick-Cole, from The School of Education and The School for Social Care Research, said: “We were very grateful to John McDonnell for the opportunity to share our research findings during this crucial and very challenging time for people with learning disabilities and family carers. We were pleased to meet politicians who were keen to engage with the research and committed to drawing on the research as they engage with the green paper. We'd like to thank the research team, which includes other university partners, people with learning disabilities and family carers and the participants in the research for their time, expertise and insights."
The event was also attended by project members Dr Martina Smith, Research Associate at the NIHR School for Social Care Research and Sara Ryan from Manchester Metropolitan University.