Total Attachment

Aims:

This one day programme aims to give front line workers in services providing care and support to people with learning disabilities, a framework to enable the development of value based, compassionate care. It draws of the model of Total Attachment which has grown an evidence base for its efficacy in this domain.

In a relaxed and informal atmosphere, using a variety of teaching methods including lecture, group work, case study work and presentation, the following will be considered:

• The Context: the need to embed value based compassionate care in services for people with learning disabilities in response to the findings at Winterbourne View.
• The Model: Total Attachment – this is an approach drawn from research into nurturing and caring relationships where there is a potential/definite power imbalance to ensure that power is used positively. It is based on theories of the development of human interaction, confidence and effectiveness and considers a framework to help workers apply this to practice. Total Attachment means the communication of security – an essential outcome for people with learning disabilities who use care services.
• The Evidence Base – how the model has been used and the basis for the emergence of compassionate caring. How the model can enable the growth of a way of working, both individually and as a team, that that is available, sensitive and effective for those who need our support.
• The Application: How Total Attachment is translated into practice for positive outcomes. What needs to be in place in order to grow services that that mirror the model in care settings.

Outcomes:

By the end of the session, workers in services providing care for people with learning disabilities will have been able to reflect on their own experiences from practice and will be able to use the framework explored on this course to help to grow safer, compassionate and value based services.