Developing a person-centred support service for families caring for children with significant disabilities in rural and urban areas

The article describes an innovative, person-centredservice provided to families who had a child or teenager withsevere learning (intellectual) disabilities. It was delivered in threeareas within Northern Ireland: two urban and one rural.Theservice promoted the social inclusion of young people involunteer-run community activities, based around a personcentredplan developed with the child’s family. A three-yearformative evaluation of the service was undertaken (2006–2008)via interviews and focus groups with parents (N = 48), youngpeople (N = 19), volunteers (N = 7), community workers (N = 4)and referring social services staff (N = 14).The service wassuccessfully implemented in all three areas. In particular, it helpedparents to clarify their individual support needs and engaged theirchild in ordinary community activities. The distinctive features ofthe service and the changed ethos it represents are discussed.