Published: Less than 30 min ago
A national center needs to be established to increase competence and knowledge of issues related to intellectual disability and autism, suggests the National Board of Health and Welfare in a new report.
On behalf of the government, the authority has investigated the conditions for starting such a center for the issues, in the area of LSS (the Act on support and service for certain disabled persons).
The report’s conclusion is that a center is needed, both to increase competence in the area and to more systematically collect and disseminate knowledge.
“The National Board of Health and Welfare has recently established that many who work at LSS residences for children and adults lack basic skills in care and social care,” says Karin Flyckt, coordinator for disability issues at the National Board of Health and Welfare, in a press release.
For example, only 38 percent of permanently employed staff at residential facilities for children have a basic education in care and social care. In accommodation for adults, the corresponding proportion is 64 percent.
“If there is a lack of competence, there is a risk of abuse and the ultimate consequences can be coercive and restrictive measures,” says Flyckt.
The new center is proposed to collect, disseminate and, if necessary, develop new knowledge. It must also be able to collect and disseminate research results, offer continuing education efforts and conduct dialogue with the businesses.