Where Care Converges: Uncovering Shared Experiences of Parents and Service Providers for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities in Times of Austerity

TL;DR

This study explores how austerity has affected parents and service providers of adults with intellectual disabilities in the UK, revealing shared challenges and strained relationships.

Contribution

The study reveals shared experiences between parents and service providers under austerity, challenging previous assumptions of adversarial relationships.

Findings

Austerity has led to strained relationships and care cuts for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Parents and service providers both face deteriorating health and wellbeing due to funding reductions.

Participants feel compelled to advocate aggressively for care amid limited resources.

Abstract

Since the introduction of austerity measures in 2008, funding for care, welfare, services and support systems in the United Kingdom has been reduced. There is little research that explores the experiences of parents of adults with intellectual disabilities and service providers regarding care, relationships and social networks in times of austerity.

Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 10 parents of adults with intellectual disabilities and nine managers and leaders of relevant services. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes across their experiences.

Experiences suggested four shared key themes in relation to the effects of austerity: distanced relationships; Care Act assessments being used to make cuts; deteriorating health and wellbeing; and participants feeling forced to become fighters.

Whilst previous research has considered the adversarial nature of relationships between parents and service providers, this study suggests they can experience shared difficulties under austerity.