Research briefs
19 PRACTICE LINKS // DECEMBER 2021
ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
LIVING IN A CARE ORGANIZATION
Benoot, T., Roose, R., Dursin, W., Verschuere, B., & McKenzie, J. (2021). Aspirations of People With
Intellectual Disabilities Living in a Care Organization. Journal of Social Work, 1-18.
What is this article about?
! This article reports findings of a qualitative study of 10 people with intellectual disabilities examining their
aspirations for the future social workers' experiences of practice during the political conflict in Northern
Ireland.
! Qualitative interviews were conducted following a photovoice project
What are the critical findings?
Two core issues were identified as helping participants to develop or realise their capacity to aspire:
1. Interactions with significant others - for example, Charlie was taking dance lessons having engaged in a
'joint exploration' process with his personal assistant after she saw him dancing in his living room
2. The use of pocket money - participants' personal budgets to pay for their care and support were
managed by a family member or lawyer or legal guardian but they all received pocket money which
they could use on whatever they liked and as a resource to achieve / engage in activities that they liked
What are some of the key implications for policy and practice?
! Meaningful interactions with significant people - family members, professionals - play a key role in
supporting people with intellectual disabilities to aspire
! It is important that social workers / social care workers acquire knowledge and insights into what is
important for individuals with intellectual disabilities in order to create space for them to imagine a
'possible future'.
Methodological consideration: This study sample is based on a small sample of people with intellectual
disabilities connected to one particular care organisation.