Attachment Study

Attachment theory? Partnership?

Client A is a 30 year old who currently resides at a supported housing scheme in Middlesbrough. Client A has a mild learning disability and has had issues with accepting their sexuality along with problems coming to terms with a death in their family. From studying a holistic assessment of the client, it also became apparent that the client was brought up believing that their grandparents were their parents, and their mother as a sister, and the death of their grandfather evidently impacted on the service user greatly. Client A has not been motivated for a long time, and seemed to be stuck in a routine that was not helping their situation. In January of 2008, the client attended a meeting about partnership at Lothian Road and was joined by Creative Support staff. This meeting prompted some interest from the client in reassessing their current situation, and gave them inspiration to try and enter the world of employment. From looking at the service user’s Record of Achievement, it was clear that the service user has in the past attended many different courses. It was also apparent that these could be utilised to support an application for paid or unpaid employment through an agency that specialise in helping people into work, and the client was supported to contact the Shaw Trust to assist with this. The intention was to avoid �representing’ the client, and allow for them to speak for themselves at the interview without help, unless needed. This decision paid off, and they conducted themselves in a confident and assertive manner. In retrospect, this was something of a milestone, as only three months ago this would not have taken place, and it would have been normal for staff to be more than just an advocate, and act in a more paternal manner. This goes against what I value, and I always strive for people to fulfil their aspirations, and don’t see any point in creating dependence. It is not a relationship that should be encouraged, nor would it have been beneficial to the client’s continued progress. I think that the overall experience of this not only allowed for the service user to conduct themselves in a way that was comfortable for them, thus enabling them to use their own language and allow for them to stay in their comfort