Thinking Together; A Social Care Learning Community, '10 Minutes of Britney' and Flourishing Lives

People with intellectual disabilities continue to experience poor support despite considerable research evidence about what could be improved.

An online learning community of people with intellectual disabilities, carers, and social care staff, grounded in Sen's Capability Approach, explored how good support can be delivered in practice. Six sessions covered topics including confidence, belonging and thinking ahead.

Thinking together generated 'lightbulb moments', most notably the realisation seemingly trivial preferences, like listening to Britney Spears, can hold profound personal value, yet are overlooked in formal care-planning. Lay team members went on tour with the findings, producing additional examples of low-cost activities termed '10 Minutes of Britney'.

Social care practice could be improved by systematically recognising and enabling such everyday capabilities, particularly within resource-constrained, austerity influenced service environments. It is important that these capabilities remain relevant to us all, rather than a distinct intervention for people with intellectual disabilities.