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The leopard has changed its spots

Daniel Docherty

An old black and white photo of a group of children playing on a rope climbing frame

In this paper I am going to describe my experiences of support staff in the early 1970s when I was living in Calderstones. This was a large institution near Blackburn, in Lancashire.

I am then going to compare these experiences to the approach that is taken by the staff who support me now, where I live in a shared house in the community. Interestingly, these staff are employed by NHS Foundation Trust, Calderstones.

The paper will follow the differences in staff approach, training, treatment and attitude over a 27 year period.

Some people say that things will never change, but my view is that staff are now more likely to work in a positive way with the people they support. My staff are friendly, approachable and give people respect. People with learning difficulties are supported better now than we were 27 years ago.

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If you woud like to get in touch with the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group, please contact:

Liz Tilley 
Chair of the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group
School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

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