Perspectives of people with learning difficulties on relocation and community care

Steady progress is being made in the UK in the deinstitutionalisation of services for people with learning difficulties. Growing numbers are moving out of long-stay hospitals and hostels into less restrictive settings. But so far little is know about how they respond to the way these policies are changing their lives. This paper presents the views of movers who were interviewed using an innovative 'visual game' technique as they went through the process of relocation. Based on findings from a longitudinal research evaluation of a local community care programme, the paper describes the methods used and discusses the choices and preferences of the movers. The implications for policymakers are clear. People with learning difficulties can make perfectly sensible, consistent and illuminating comments on their experiences, and favour options and environments that maximise their independence. The evidence from this study suggests that the policy of relocating people from hospitals and developing community alternatives to institutional living is entirely in keeping with the wishes of the users themselves.