ISEN RESEARCH PROJECT

In conjunction with the National Disability Authority and the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the ISEN are undertaking research which will examine the current status of relationship and sexuality education practice for people with an intellectual disability.

There are two phases involved in the research:

Phase 1: (NDA sponsored)

  • Examine the current professional/qualification profile of people involved in facilitating sex education for children and adults with learning and physical impairments.
  • Identify the type of training staff are receiving
  • Explore effective elements of training received and seek recommendations for future training.
  • Highlight current relationships and sexuality education being delivered

Phase 2: (sponsored by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency)

  • Review international literature for recommendations of best practice in sex education delivery.
  • Explore the current situation in Ireland in relation to sex education in detail
  • Identify competencies of sex educators.

It is envisaged that this research will be completed by Summer 2005. The ISEN have appointed a researcher to complete this research, who reports to the ISEN research sub-committee on a regular basis. The completed report will be available to all member organisations when it is published and iit will also be available to other organisations upon request.

NDA POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

In 2004 the ISEN and KARE were involved as partners in a European funded project entitled: 'The Development Of Supportive Structures To Facilitate Adults With Intellectual Disabilities To Express Their Rights As Sexual Beings'

The aim of the project was to develop guidelines for agencies in supporting relationships and sexuality of people with an intellectual disability.

This project involved a series of focus groups looking at the area of relationships and sexuality for people with an intellectual disability. Focus groups included persons with an intellectual disability, Parents, staff from organisations around Ireland and the ISEN.

The recommendations from the focus groups were brought together in at a workshop facilitated by Roy McConkey in November 2003.

Further to this an outline of a policy was proposed, this outline was sent to a working group in KARE where it was further developed

The final policy(Draft 5) is at senior management level in KARE and when this document is agreed, it will be made available to ISEN members.
































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