Sexuality and Learning Disabilities
SEX-POSITIVE SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS, ADVICE, TRAINING, LITERATURE and POLICY DOCUMENTS
Advocacy Partners
A leading, independent advocacy organisation, providing services to people with
disabilities in South-West London and Surrey.
Address: McMillan House, 54 Cheam Common Rd, Worcester Park, Surrey KT4 8RH
Website: www.advocacypartners.org
The Ann Craft Trust (ACT)
National organisation working with professionals and staff in the sexual interest
of people with learning disabilities and staff who may be at risk from abuse.
Address: Centre for Social Work, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: communityaction@nottingham.ac.uk
Association for Residential Carers
National umbrella organisation to promote quality of life in residental homes
and day centres for people with learning disabilities.
Address: ARC House, Marsden Street, Chesterfield, S4O 1JY
Tel: 01246 555043
Fax: 01246 555045
Email: contact.us@arc.org.uk
Website: www.arcuk.org.uk
Book - Holding On, Letting Go – Sex, Sexuality and People with
Learning Disabilities
by John Drury, Lynee Hutchinson and Jon Wright. Invaluable resource for parents
and care staff.
Human Horizons Series of Souvenir Press 2000.
ISBN 0 285 63578 6
Book - Protecting You from Sexual Abuse
A book about sexual abuse and the law for young people under 16 years old with
a learning disability.
Written by the Home Office with the Downs Sydrome Association, Mencap and Respond.
Books Beyond Words
Books using pictures on subjects of sex and sexuality
Address: The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X
8PG
Tel: 020 7235 2351 ext.146
Fax: 020 7245 1231 (with credit card details)
Website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications.bbw
British Institute of Learning Disabilities
Information and publications, training and consultancy. Published SEX a book
with simple black and white drawings and text.
Address: Wolverhampton Road, Kidderminster, DY10 3PP
Tel: 01752 202301
Website: www.bild.org.uk
Brook
Dealing with under-25's sexual health and welbeing, with a range of leaflets,
resources and teaching aids on sexuality and relationships for people with learning
disabilites and their teachers.
Address: 421 Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL
Tel: 020 7284 6040
Helpline: 0800 0185 023.
Publications: Brook Publications, PO Box 1239 Coventry, CV8 3ZB
Tel: 02476 545557
Email: publications@brookcentres.org.uk
Website: www.brook.org.uk
Change
Fights for the rights of people with learning disabilities especially those
who are deaf and blind.
Address: Unity Business Centre, Units 19 & 20, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7
1AB
Tel: 01132430202
Cloth Sex Eduction Models
Jane Fraser has updated her cloth models which she sells for sex education for
young people with learning disabilities.
Email: brook@revjane.demon.co.uk
Connect
Provides advice, training and support on sexuality and people with learning
disabilities in Yorkshire, and elsewhere when time permits.
Barnardo's Queens Road Project, Queens House, Queens Road, Bradford BD8 7BS
01274 481 183
Consent
Consultancy, training, education and supervision on a broad range of sexuality
issues for people with learning disabilities.
Address: Woodside Road, Abbotts Langley, Hertfordshire WD5 0HT
Tel: 01923 670796
DIAL UK
DIAL information and advice services are based throughout the UK and provide
information and advice to disabled people and others on all aspects of living
with a disability. All DIAL services are currently working to meet strict new
quality standards.
Address: St Catherine's, Tickhill Road. Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 8QN
Tel: 01302 310123
Fax: 01302 310404
TextPhone: 01302 310123 please use voice announcer
Email: enquiries@DIALuk.org.uk
Website: www.dialuk.org.uk
Disability Wales
The national association of disability groups in Wales working to promote the
rights, inclusion, equality, and support of all disabled people in Wales.
Address: Disability Wales Wernddu Court, Caerphilly Business Park,Van Road,
Caerphilly, CF83 3ED, Wales
Tel: 029 2088 7325
Fax: 029 2088 8702
Email: info@dwac.demon.co.uk
Website: www.dwac.demon.co.uk
Disability Rights Commission
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is an independent body established in
April 2000 by Act of Parliament to stop discrimination and promote equality
of opportunity for disabled people. After DRC lobbying, the Government has given
a guarantee that the new equality and human rights commission will cater for
the distinct needs of disabled people and that the programme of legal reform
will continue. This will include disabled people’s rights to be sexual
beings. The DRC Helpline gives advice and information about the Disability Discrimination
Act (DDA) 1995.
Address: DRC Helpline, FREEPOST MID02164, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 9BR
Tel: 08457 622 633
Textphone: 08457 622 644 (You can speak to an operator at any time between 8am
and 8pm, Monday to Friday)
Fax: 08457 778 878.
Discern
Offers free counselling for disabled people on personal relationships and sexuality.
Address: Chadburn House, Weighbridge Road, Littleworth, Mansfield NG18 1AH
Tel: 01623 623732
Diverse City Press
A small Canadian publishing company providing educational materials –
books, audio and video tapes for people with disabilities and their care providers.
The company is informed by the disability rights movement, and is closely linked
with organisations and individuals fighting for the rights of all people with
disabilities to take control of their own lives and control their own fate.
Videos include the famous two instructions films:
- Hand Made Love: A Guide For Teaching About Male Masturbation
- Finger Tips: A guide for teaching about female masturbation
Address: 13561 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4E 1A2, Canada
Tel: 877 246 5226
Fax: 877 246 5226
Email:
diversecitypress@bellnet.ca, (or
latourdcp@hotmail.com)
Website:
www.diverse-city.com
Down's Syndrome Association
Provides information, counselling and support for people with Down's syndrome,
their families and carers, as well as for professionals.
Address: The Langdon Town Centre, 2a Langdon Park, Teddington TW11 9PS
Tel: 0845 2300 370
Elfrida Society
Gives health advice and information to women with learning disabilities.
Address: Access to Health Project, 34 Islington Park Street, London N1 1PX
Tel: 020 7359 7443
Enable
A membership organisation for people with learning disabilities and their family
carers in Scotland. They have now completed ‘Educate and protect from
sexual abuse ’ a project to train people with learning disabilities to
support the delivery of training on sexuality and relationships for adults with
learning disabilities. They also produced great three eduction videos on sexuality
workshops and training.
Address: 6th Floor, 7 Buchanan Street, Glasgow G1 3HL
Tel: 0141 226 4541
Enabled Lives
Enabled Lives is a new organisation which offers training and consultancy to
those working and living with people who are vulnerable. This includes adults
and children with learning disabilities or difficulties, looked-after children
and others. The work centres on sexuality in terms of both rights and protection,
and considers the needs of staff as well as service users. It can also be adapted
for other vulnerable groups including older people and those with mental health
difficulties. All work is in line with the Governments' White Paper "Valuing
People 2001" and The Care Standards Act 2000.
Address: 14 Farra street, Oxenhope, Keighley BD22 9HP
Tel:
01535 647911
Email:
john-drury@btconnect.com
Website:
www.enabledlives.co.uk
FPA (Family Planning Association)
Provides educational literature, information and advice, a contraceptive display
kit, helplines, a library of relevant books and journals, seminars and training
on sexuality and learning disabilities. (Their local family planning clinics
have now been absorbed by the NHS).
Sexuality & Learning Disability - a Resource for Staff by Claire Fanstone
and Zarine Katrak is an excellent resource.
Head Office: fpa 50 Featherstone Street
London EC1Y 8QU
Tel: 020 7608 5240
Helpline: 0845 122 8690
Fax: 0845 123 2349
Northern Ireland offices
Belfast
113 University Street
Belfast BT7 1HP
Tel: 028 90 325 488
Fax: 028 90 312 312
Derry
3rd Floor
67 Carlisle Road
Derry BT48 6JL
Tel: 028 7126 0016
Fax: 028 7136 1254
Scotland office
Unit 10, Firhill Business Centre
76 Firhill Road
Glasgow G20 7BA
Tel: 0141 948 1179
Fax: 0141 948 1127
Wales office
Suite D1
Canton House
435-451 Cowbridge Road East
Cardiff
Tel: 029 20 644034
Fax: 029 20 644306
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
Works with people and their families to ensure they can use effective services,
play a fuller part in communities and society, and enjoy equal rights.
Address: Sea Containers House, 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9QB
Tel: 020 7803 1100
Fax: 020 7802 111
Address: Scotland Office, 5th Floor, Merchants House, 30 George Square, Glasgow
G2 1EG
Tel: 0141 572 0125
Fax: 014 1572 0246
Email:
fpld@fpld.org.uk
Website:
www.learningdisabilities.org.uk
Headway
Promotes understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provides information,
support and services to people with a brain injury, their family and carers.
Address: 4 King Edward Court, King Edward Street, Nottingham NG1 1EW
Tel: 0115 924 0800
Email:
helpline.manager@headway.org.uk
Image in Action
Provides sex eduation for people with learning disabilities in schools and colleges
in the SE. Also provides training and consultancy, and publishes resources.
Address: Chinnor Road, Bledlow Ridge, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4AJ
Tel: 01494 481 632
IASSID -The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellection
Disability - Special Interest Research Group on Parenting and Intellectual Disability
(SIRG/PID of the IASSID)
An international network of people discussing, amongst other things, people
with learning disability seeking partners, both by email but also at international
conferences. SIRG/PID membership or further information from the Secretary Gwynnyth
Llewellyn at g.llewellyn@fhs.usyd.edu.au or Professor Gwynnyth Llewellyn, School
of Occupational therapy, University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, East
Street, P.O. Box 170, AUS 2141 Wdcombe, NSW, Australia.
For information regarding access to or membership of the SIRG/PID Listserve,
which acts as a forum for the exchange of research and information on an international
basis, contact Tim Booth, Ph.D., Chair at T.Booth@sheffield.ac.uk, or in writing
to: Professor Tim Booth, Professor of Social Policy, Department of Sociological
Studies, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2 TU, UK.
It's Only Natural
A parent-led initiative aimed at establishing sexuality and learning disability
forums in different geographical areas.
Address: Sue Blackwell, Pogstone House, 19 Cuckstool Road, Denby, Huddersfield
HD8 8RF
Tel: 01484 861 854
Learning Disability Research Initiate
People with Learning Disabilities Services, Inclusion and Partnership . - Projects such as Valuing People which are reported in the newsletter.
Tel: 0114 226 6840
Email: g.grant@sheffield.ac.uk
Leonard Cheshire Foundation
Independent and supported living, respite care, day services and services for
people with an acquired brain injury.
Address: 30 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QD
Tel: 020 7802 8200
Fax: 020 7802 8250
Email: info@lc-uk.org
Website: www.leonard-cheshire.org
Let's Plan It!
New planning guide to create programmes of Sex and Relationships Education across a wide range of ages and abilities.
Address: Image in Action Chinnor Road Bledlow Ridge, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4AJ
Tel: 01494 481 632
Email: info@imageinaction.org
Life Support Productions
Produce sex-ed films for people with learning disabilities including the You,
Your Body and Sex DVD.
Website: www.lifesupportproductions.co.uk
Making Choices Keeping Safe
LOTHIAN Policy and Practice Guidelines on relationships and sexual wellbeing
when working with people with learning disabilities.
Address: Health Promotion – Learning Disabilities, NHS Lothian, Deaconess
House, 148 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9RS
Tel: 0131 536 9275
Website: www.mcks.scot.nhs.uk
MENCAP
UK charity working with people with a learning disability and their families
and carers.
Address: 123 Golden Lane London EC1Y ORT
Tel: 020 745Cardiff
Tel: 029 20 644034Cardiff
Tel: 029 20 644034
Fax: 029 20 6443064 0454.
Learning Disability Helpline 0808 808 1111
Email: help@mencap.org.uk
Website: www.mencap.org.uk
Mental Capacity Bill
The Mental Incapacity Bill has been subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by a
Joint Parliamentary Committee. The Committee published its report in November
2003 and the Government published its response in February 2004. The Mental
Capacity Bill is due to be become an Act in September 2005. See:
Website: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmbills/120/2004120.htm
Website: www.dca.gov.uk/menincap/mcbfactsheet.htm
Website: www.mind.org.uk/News+policy+and+campaigns/Policy/Mental+Capacity+Bill.htm
Basic Issues:
- There is no clear accepted definition of capacity to sexual consent
- There is no concensus of what people need to understand about sex in
order to consent to it
- Capacity to consent can improve with experience. People with learning
disabilities should not automatically be given a test and test results should
not be laid down irreversibly in clinical notes
- Boundaries in school settings and residential homes need to be formulated
- All local authorities should have an expert on consent to go to for
help and advice.
NAZ Project
Provides advice regarding sexual health issues specifically for Muslim and South
Asian communities.
Address: Palingswick House, 241 King Strfeet, London W6 9LP
Tel: 020 8741 1879
The Network Psychosexual Partnership Cymru
Run by sex and disability guru Jane Gibbin.
Norah Fry Research Centre
The Norah Fry Research Centre and the Baring Foundation are undertaking a UK-wide
mapping survey of individuals, services and agencies supporting parents with
learning Disabilities and their children. Research includes “Secret Loves,
Hidden Lives? Exploring same sex relationships for people with learning difficulties”.
This project seeks to understand the experiences of people with learning difficulties
who are having or who would like to have same sex relationships and for those
that support them and live with them.
Address: 3 Priory Road, Bristol BS8 1TX
Tel: 0117 923 8137
Fax: 0117 946 6553
Minicom: 0117 928 8856
Website:
www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/NorahFry
Paradigm
Provides consultancy, training, conferences and support for people with learning
disabilities.
Address: 8 Brandon Street, Birkenhead CH41 5HN
Tel: 0870 010 4933
Email:
admin@paradigm-uk.org
Website:
www.paradigm-uk.org
Simon Parritt Consultancy
Simon Parritt was the Director of SPOD until 2003 and is now running his own
consultancy providing psychosexual counselling and sex therapy to people with
disabilities, and training medical students and health care professionals.
Tel: 07961 531 009
Email:
parritsw@aol.com
People First and People First Scotland
Independent self-advocacy for people with learning difficulties.
Address: 3rd Floor, 299 Kentish Town Road, London NWS 2TJ
Tel: 020 7485 6660
Address: 34b Haddington Place, Edinburgh EH7 4AG
Tel: 0131 478 7707
Email:
p1stscot@aol.com
Respond
Provides counselling and therapy for people with learning difficulties, their
families and carers and professionals who work with them.
Address: 3rd Floor, 24-32 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD
Tel: 020 7383 0700
Helpline: 0808 808 0700 (Freephone) Monday-Friday 1.30 – 5pm
Website:
www.respond.org.uk
Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability
SCLD is a charity and an independent company made up of 13 Partner Organisations
who have joined together with funding from the Scottish Executive to become
the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability. They offer training course
entitled Relationships and Sexuality, which is a module accredited at SVQ level
3.
Address: The Adelphi Centre, Room 16, 12 Commercial Road, Glasgow G5 0PQ
Tel: 0141 418 5420
Fax: 0141 429 1142
Email:
administrator@scld.co.uk
Sex Education Forum
Advice and publications on developing sex and relationships education policies,
working with parents and carers in delivering sex and relationship education.
Their factsheet 32 is:
Sex and Relationships Education for children and young people with learning
difficulties
www.ncb.org.uk/sef/res_detail.asp?id=603
Address: National Children's Bureau, 8 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7QE
Tel: 020 7843 6052
Sexual Health and Relationships
Review of Resources for people with learning disabilities.
Address:
SHW Learning Network, NHS Scotland, LGF, Clifton House, Clifton Place Glasgow G3 7LS
Tel: 0141 300 1052
Email:
SHWLN@health.scot.nhs.uk
Website:
www.healthscotland.com/SHW
Sexual Health and Wellbeing Network
The Scotland-wide Sexual Health and Wellbeing Network will help by drawing
on skills base, knowledge and experience; sharing various approaches and our
experiences of them; and developing ways of effectively sharing information.
Address: Sexual Health and Wellbeing Network, NHS Health Scotland, LGF,
Clifton House, Clifton Place, Glasgow G3 7LS
Tel: 0141 300 1052
Email:
SHWLN@health.scot.nhs.uk
Website:
www.healthscotland.com/SHW
Sexual Health National Learning Network
The Scotland-wide Sexual Health Learning Network will help by drawing on skills
base, knowledge and experience; sharing various approaches and our experiences
of them; and developing ways of effectively sharing information.
Address: Shirley Fraser,Sexual Health Learning Network Co-ordinator, Public
Health Institute of Scotland, Clifton House, Clifton Place, Glasgow G3 7LS
Tel: 0141 300 1047
Fax: 0141 300 1020
Email:
shirley.fraser@phis.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Sexuality & Learning Disability
A resource for Staff by Claire Fanstone and Zarine Katrak, available from the fpa (see below) covers sexual rights, policy, education, training and contacts. It recommends the Yarrow Housing Policy Document written by Image in Action, available for £10 from Yarrow Housing Ltd, 216 Goldhawk Road, London W12 9NX.
Tel: 020 8740 4735
Email: info@yarrowhousing.org.uk
The Shepherd School
The Shepherd School has established a national and international reputation
for its work in sex and relationship education. For some 20 years, their Sex
Education Monitory Group has supported staff and families in the development
of sex on appropriate sex education curriculum accompanying resources. The school
runs regular workshops for parents and has produced useful booklets for parents
and students. Shep-Net is the Shepherd School interactive portal.
Address: The Shepherd School, Harvey Road, Bilborough, Nottingham, UK
Website:
www.shepherdschool.org.uk
Speak Up
Speak Up is an American group concerned with ending the silences that prevent
people who use alternative ways to communicate from protecting themselves from
sexual abuse. It gives people with complex communication needs the information,
education and means to communicate about healthy sexuality and sexual abuse.
Website: www.Aacsafeguarding.ca
Tizard Centre
Policy making, research and teaching in areas of learning disability. Michelle
McCarthy runs Saturday Seminars on sexuality and learning disabilities in central
London.
Address: University of Kent at Canterbury, CT2 7LZ
Email:
M.McCarthy@kent.ac.uk
Website:
www.kent.ac.uk/tizard
Turning Point
Leading social care organisation specialising in people with comples needs,
including those with learning disabilities.
Address: New Loom House, 101 Backchurch Lane, London, E1 1LU
Tel: 020 7702 2300
Email:
info@turning-point.co.uk
Voice UK
Support and information group for people with learning disabilities who have
been abused and hurt, and for their families and carers. VOICE UK can put people
in touch with lawyers who specialise in dealing with cases of abuse and crimes
against people with learning disabilities. If the staff at VOICE UK can't help,
they will find someone who can.
Address: VOICE UK, Wyvern House, Railway Terrace, Derby, DE1 2RU
Helpline: 0870 0133 965
Tel: 01332 295775
Fax: 01332 295670
Email
voice@voiceuk.org.uk
Website:
www.voiceuk.org.uk
