Intimate Lives Matter: Sex, Relationships and the Care Act

Sex, intimacy, love and relationships are central to wellbeing, yet they are not always in Care Act needs assessments. The purpose of this study is to understand how social workers can be better supported to address these needs confidently in Care Act assessments and Care Act reviews with people with learning disabilities and autistic people. We will co-produce and evaluate training materials for social workers.

The project involves two work packages. In the first, we will interview social workers to see what support they need to include sex and relationships within Care Act assessments. Based on what they say, we’ll develop a free training pack, offer this training to up to 80 social workers, and then evaluate that training. We’re also doing workshops with autistic people and people with learning disabilities to create tools and guidance for Care Act assessments which we add to our training. The second work package involves developing three good practice case studies by choosing and showcasing services which are doing good work to support people with learning disabilities and autistic people’s sexuality to show that it can be done.

The project is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and is in collaboration with the Supported Loving Network, and is jointly led by Dr Monique Huysamen and Dr Claire Bates from Supported Loving, with Dr Georgia Rivers as the research associate, and Professor Chris Hatton and Dr Sarah Pollock as Co-Investigators. The research is supported by an advisory group of autistic people, people with learning disabilities, social workers, and commissioners.