Julie Beadle-Brown, Reader in Intellectual Development Disabilities at the Tizard Centre, has recently returned from working at La Trobe University, Australia where she is an Adjunct Associate Professor. Julie is part of a team running a number of research projects looking at a range of issues related to the quality of services for people with intellectual disabilities in Australia, with a particular focus on person-centred approaches as well as the issue of social inclusion. As part of a project looking at the implementation of person-centred active support and practice leadership, she trained staff from the organisations taking part in the project as well as staff from the University as trainers in person-centred active support. Results from a recent evaluation were presented to the senior management of the organisations and a session held to help senior managers to think about what they need to do to improve the implementation of active support in their services.
During her visit Julie also ran two days training on understanding and supporting children and adults with autism. This was well attended by over 80 people from schools, residential and respite services, day services, and employment services as well as some family carers and researchers.