Previous research has established that guidelines to facilitate a non‐judgemental, consistent approach to self‐harm management would be useful to staff working in a forensic…
Abstract
Previous research has established that guidelines to facilitate a non‐judgemental, consistent approach to self‐harm management would be useful to staff working in a forensic psychiatric setting. In the preparation of these guidelines, a literature search was conducted to examine the evidence on clinical effectiveness for managing self‐harm. Overall, the evidence for defining a definitive treatment approach to self‐harm is extremely limited. However, a number of studies/reviews have identified aspects of treatment and care that are considered to be effective. Guidelines have been produced that capitalise on this information and provide front‐line staff (such as nurses) with advice that can be used on a daily basis when working with a service user who self‐harms.
The purpose of the study discussed here was to review the experience and management of bullying on an open forensic borderline learning disability unit. Semi‐structured interviews…
Abstract
The purpose of the study discussed here was to review the experience and management of bullying on an open forensic borderline learning disability unit. Semi‐structured interviews were used to gather the perceptions, experiences and recommendations of service users about current and future management of bullying. Staff completed a questionnaire seeking information on the incidence and characteristics of bullying, management techniques and training requirements. Service users' results highlighted the importance of the level and predictability of staff presence on the ward, difficulties in reporting episodes for fear of retribution, and improving availability of information about bullying. Staff results highlighted a consistent response to bullying but reluctance to rate highly the strategies used or their confidence in assessing bullying, and a desire for bullying‐specific training. Both groups were interested in unitwide interventions to promote greater openness and wider involvement in dealing with bullying and to reduce the impact of negative factors such as fear and secrecy.
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Karen Gough, Samantha Churchward, Eluned Dorkins, Jason Fee, Susan Oxborrow, John Parker and Helen Smith
The NICE Guidelines for Schizophrenia are designed to give guidance on the best practice in treatment and management of schizophrenia. These guidelines have 13 standards which…
Abstract
The NICE Guidelines for Schizophrenia are designed to give guidance on the best practice in treatment and management of schizophrenia. These guidelines have 13 standards which services can use for the purpose of audit. As schizophrenia is our service's most common diagnosis, an audit against the guidelines was undertaken. The results indicated that we met three of the standards. Recommendations have been implemented to improve practice on standards that were not met, and this has led to some creative practice development. Despite the labour‐intensive nature of the audit, the results gave a clear indication of areas where there was a need for improvement and will act as a good baseline for re‐audit.
Karen Gough and Andrew Hawkins
Identified risk factors and clinical experience suggest that self‐harm is a common and very significant problem in forensic psychiatric settings. Sparse training on self‐harm…
Abstract
Identified risk factors and clinical experience suggest that self‐harm is a common and very significant problem in forensic psychiatric settings. Sparse training on self‐harm given to staff throughout professional development is a concern for staff who can be left feeling dissatisfied and powerless as how to manage the patient who self‐harms. Consequently, staff often have to rely on idiosyncratic beliefs about self‐harm and its management to guide their practice. This survey investigated staff attitudes towards self‐harm in a forensic psychiatric service. The results highlight much variation in attitudes and a sub‐population of staff holding relatively more punitive/negative beliefs. In addition, the survey drew attention to the difficulty of managing self‐harm in forensic settings‐especially in relation to issues around facilitating safe self‐harm.
Daniel Silva, Karen Gough and Hannah Weeks
At present, there are significant limitations to the criminal justice system’s (CJS) ability to respond appropriately to detainees or defendant with learning disabilities (LD)…
Abstract
Purpose
At present, there are significant limitations to the criminal justice system’s (CJS) ability to respond appropriately to detainees or defendant with learning disabilities (LD). The development of Liaison and Diversion Services has provided the opportunity to more easily identify people with LD in the CJS through the use of screening assessments. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to consider why there is a need for screening assessments and review the literature on existing measures, in order to consider the next steps to develop a more effective pathway from the CJS to LD services.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper takes the form of a literature review.
Findings
The review found that there is a significant body of research defending the need for LD screening in the CJS across the UK. The aim of a screening process would be to identify individuals who possibly have LD and ensure that the correct measures are in place to assess and manage these individuals, including appropriate diversion to specialist LD services. The learning disability screening questionnaire (LDSQ) is an instrument that could be utilised in these instances and could be carried out by Liaison and Diversion Services.
Research limitations/implications
Neither of the tools reviewed in this paper have been vigorously field tested within forensic settings in the UK. It is recommended that there should be trials of the LDSQ as a screening tool within Liaison and Diversion Services with comparison against outcomes of full diagnostic assessments for LD.
Originality/value
Screening for LD is being discussed across the UK as part of Liaison and Diversion Services. This paper highlights the need for a reliable and valid screening tool and provides support for the use of the LDSQ.
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Georgia P. Saemann, Karen J. Crooker and Laura Jean Kreissl
The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of Simone de Beauvoir's feminist existentialist philosophy in an empirical research study concerned with the career choices of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of Simone de Beauvoir's feminist existentialist philosophy in an empirical research study concerned with the career choices of women professional accountants.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical framework, based on de Beauvoir's philosophy, is developed. It is argued that her feminist philosophy provides an appropriate theoretical lens for the study of careers. The challenges encountered in developing this approach together with their resolution are described.
Findings
The theoretical framework informs the analysis and critique of the stories of career told by 13 women chartered accountants. Multiple meanings for the oft‐reported categories for leaving public accounting surface, extending the women‐in‐accounting literature.
Research limitations/implications
The use of a structured tool may obscure certain aspects of career or unduly highlight other aspects. The framework should be used in future studies of the careers of women professionals, e.g. lawyers and minority groups, such as men of colour to assess its contribution beyond the current study.
Practical implications
The generated insights can be used by the accounting firms to develop alternative human resources policies and practices in an effort to retain women accountants and by the profession in assessing the nature of the work.
Originality/value
The development of a research methodology incorporating individual voices, the role of personal agency in career and feminist existentialism, all of which are often absent from the research concerned with women accountants provides a more in‐depth understanding of careers and a way forward for further research on the subject.