Bryony Beresford | University of York (original) (raw)
Papers by Bryony Beresford
... and responding to the events and situations in which they find themselves (for example, Prout... more ... and responding to the events and situations in which they find themselves (for example, Prout and James, 1990; Brannen and O'Brien, 1995; also Titterton, 1992). ... and Susan Folkman (for example, Folkman and Lazarus 1980; Lazarus and Folkman, 1984) and ...
Housing, Care and Support, 2000
This article is based on two pieces of work. The first, Homes Unfit for Children (Oldman &... more This article is based on two pieces of work. The first, Homes Unfit for Children (Oldman & Beresford, 1998), was based on a postal survey and 40 in-depth interviews with families with disabled children. The second, due to be published by the Policy Press in the spring this year, reports the results of a programme of consultation roadshows with a
P arent and family support is central to government policy on ensuring the well-being of children... more P arent and family support is central to government policy on ensuring the well-being of children. Whilst much is known about the difficulties and challenges parents with a disabled child face, and what parents want for their children, very little is known about how parents want their own lives to be. We report here the findings from research with parents of disabled children about the outcomes they desire for themselves, and their views on the role services can play in helping them achieve those outcomes. Parents' desired outcomes focused on maintaining or enhancing their personal identity, their physical and emotional well-being, and their skill and knowledge base. They also expressed a desire for a better balance between their caring and parenting roles. In addition to individual outcomes, parents described family-level outcomes including maintaining family life and ensuring the positive adjustment of siblings. Parents wanted sufficient practical and financial resources to me...
Journal of intellectual disabilities : JOID, Jan 19, 2015
Sleep problems are more prevalent and severe among children with intellectual disabilities and au... more Sleep problems are more prevalent and severe among children with intellectual disabilities and autism compared to typically developing children. Training parents in behavioural approaches to manage sleep problems is advocated. However, delivering such interventions via groups is novel. This article reports the findings from a preliminary evaluation of a group-delivered intervention routinely delivered by a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Learning Disability team in England. For this purpose, parents (n = 23) of children with intellectual disabilities were recruited. The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Parents' Sense of Competence Scale and parent-set goals captured outcomes at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Intervention delivery costs were collected. Take-up was high (86%), and no parent dropped out. Statistically significant improvements in night wakings, parent-set goals and parents' sense of efficacy were observed. ...
The simple answer to that question is 'because disabled children... more The simple answer to that question is 'because disabled children are children first and foremost'. The vast majority of disabled children and young people in the western world live at home with their families, most attending mainstream schools, and disabled children and young people worldwide have rights to inclusion and equal treatment enshrined in national legislation and international conventions. Yet, they often remain left out—from generic children's research, from policy-making about children's services and, in their everyday ...
British Journal of Special Education, 2014
ABSTRACT For many young people in England, the move into continuing education involves a transfer... more ABSTRACT For many young people in England, the move into continuing education involves a transfer from the school where they were educated to a further education college. For those with high‐functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome, this can be a challenging process. Past research has demonstrated some of the problems that these young people can encounter. This article by Wendy Mitchell and Bryony Beresford, both based in the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York, adds to the evidence base by describing how best to support these young people, focusing specifically on ‘young person endorsed’ practice. Data are gleaned from qualitative interviews with 18 young people with high‐functioning autism/Asperger's syndrome. Findings reveal that young people welcomed the involvement of practitioners; however, specific forms of help and knowledge were particularly valued. In addition, it was parents, as opposed to professionals, who typically emerged as the most significant and valued source of support. Implications for practice are discussed, including the support needs of parents.
... Bryony Beresford, Sue Clarke and Tricia Sloper Final Report ISBN: 978-1-871713-73-2 If you ha... more ... Bryony Beresford, Sue Clarke and Tricia Sloper Final Report ISBN: 978-1-871713-73-2 If you have any comments on this report, please send these to the Children's Trust Unit at City of York Council, 10-12 George Hudson Street, York YO1 6ZE or email CTU@york.gov.uk. ...
European Childhood …, 2005
The latest population estimates give the child (under 16) population for the UK of 11,759,000. Th... more The latest population estimates give the child (under 16) population for the UK of 11,759,000. That number has declined by over 2 million since 1971 though the number has risen very slightly since 1991. Children under 16 represent just over 20 per cent of the ...
Research in Developmental Disabilities, 2014
Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to support parents of disabled children to manage ... more Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to support parents of disabled children to manage their child's behaviour problems is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate a group-delivered intervention (Riding the Rapids) which was specifically developed for parents of a child with a disability or autistic spectrum condition. This programme has been routinely delivered by a community-based mental health team across an urban, multi-ethnic locality for a number of years. A non-randomised controlled study design comprising an intervention group (n=48) and comparator (no intervention) group (n=28) was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention on child behaviour (Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory; parent-set goals) and parenting efficacy and satisfaction (Parents Sense of Competence Scale) at post-intervention and six-month follow-up. Data on costs to the service provider of delivering the intervention were also collected. Receipt of the intervention was associated with significant reductions in parent-reported behaviour problems and significant improvements in parenting efficacy and satisfaction. At six-month follow-up, progress towards achieving parent-set child behaviour goals and parenting satisfaction had been maintained. Post hoc analysis suggests parents who do not have English as a first language may not benefit as much as other parents from this intervention. Findings suggest this is a promising intervention for parents of a child with a disability that is likely to be less resource intensive to service providers than individually delivered interventions. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Journal of Mental Health, 2010
Deaf children are at greater risk of mental health problems than hearing children. Generic child ... more Deaf children are at greater risk of mental health problems than hearing children. Generic child and adolescent mental health services cannot be expected to have the expertise to work with these children. Three teams in England currently provide specialist mental health services to deaf children. The research sought to explore referrers' views of these specialist services. Interviews and a postal survey were used. Referrers were very satisfied with the service and identified the features of the service which supported positive outcomes for users. Access was, however, a significant problem. Referrers suggested developments to the service should incorporate preventive work and cascading of skills to other professional groups. Deaf children require services which are expert in deafness and mental health, and the findings suggest the specialist services are achieving this. Resolving issues of access and widening its remit are desirable ways forward in any future development of the service.
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2003
To explore the experiences of chronically ill adolescents in communicating with health profession... more To explore the experiences of chronically ill adolescents in communicating with health professionals, including the identification of factors which hinder or facilitate their use of health professionals as an information source. 63 adolescents (11-16 years) with a chronic condition (cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy, juvenile chronic arthritis, or Duchenne muscular dystrophy) were interviewed, and subsequently took part in two group discussion meetings with other adolescents of a similar age with the same condition. Data were analyzed using the framework method involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion-drawing and verification. Factors affecting the openness and effectiveness of communication included: duration and frequency of contact; gender; perceived attitudes towards adolescents; the communication skills of the adolescent and health professional; and the presence of parents and medical students/trainee doctors. The type of information needed also affected whether the adolescents felt able to discuss an issue with a health professional. Adolescents were reluctant to raise personal or sensitive issues or to ask questions that revealed poor adherence. A perceived lack of interest in the wider impacts of having a chronic condition on day-to-day life was also a barrier to adolescents discussing difficulties at school and socio-emotional problems. Communication and information provision are key roles for health professionals, yet this study highlights a population with potentially high levels of information need who are facing considerable barriers to addressing these needs. Steps taken to improve adolescent-health professional communication need to address a range of practical, attitudinal and behavioral factors.
Health & Social Care in the Community, 2012
Satisfaction with service-related choices has not received much research attention, especially be... more Satisfaction with service-related choices has not received much research attention, especially beyond medical/health-related decisions. This paper reports findings from an analysis of parents' accounts of making service-related choices with, or on behalf of, a disabled son or daughter with a degenerative condition. It focuses particularly on factors and processes, which contribute to parents' satisfaction. This is particularly interesting given that sub-optimal outcomes or negative consequences are often experienced following a service-related choice being implemented. The data reported here were collected as part of a larger, longitudinal study (the Choice and Change project) of service users' experiences of choice-making, including the outcomes and consequences of those choices. Parents of disabled young people with degenerative conditions formed part of this sample. The accounts of 14 of these parents, collected over three interviews during a two and a half-year period, all of whom expressed satisfaction with the medium- to long-term outcomes of a service-related choice, were selected for specific analyses to understand what underlies satisfaction with service-related choices. Clarity of the desired outcome for the young person supported effective decision-making and led parents to feel confident that the best possible choice was being made. Evidence of desired outcomes being attained were used by parents to 'trade off' the negative consequences of a choice. These included the considerable demands placed on parents' personal, financial and practical resources to operationalise a choice, and the emotional impact incurred by significant changes such as the loss of the carer role. The passage of time was important in allowing evidence of positive outcomes to emerge, psychological or emotional adjustments to be made, and for parents to develop trust in new service providers. The findings suggest that practitioners can have an important role in both practical and emotional support for parents' choice-making for, or with, their disabled son/daughter.
... and responding to the events and situations in which they find themselves (for example, Prout... more ... and responding to the events and situations in which they find themselves (for example, Prout and James, 1990; Brannen and O'Brien, 1995; also Titterton, 1992). ... and Susan Folkman (for example, Folkman and Lazarus 1980; Lazarus and Folkman, 1984) and ...
Housing, Care and Support, 2000
This article is based on two pieces of work. The first, Homes Unfit for Children (Oldman &... more This article is based on two pieces of work. The first, Homes Unfit for Children (Oldman & Beresford, 1998), was based on a postal survey and 40 in-depth interviews with families with disabled children. The second, due to be published by the Policy Press in the spring this year, reports the results of a programme of consultation roadshows with a
P arent and family support is central to government policy on ensuring the well-being of children... more P arent and family support is central to government policy on ensuring the well-being of children. Whilst much is known about the difficulties and challenges parents with a disabled child face, and what parents want for their children, very little is known about how parents want their own lives to be. We report here the findings from research with parents of disabled children about the outcomes they desire for themselves, and their views on the role services can play in helping them achieve those outcomes. Parents' desired outcomes focused on maintaining or enhancing their personal identity, their physical and emotional well-being, and their skill and knowledge base. They also expressed a desire for a better balance between their caring and parenting roles. In addition to individual outcomes, parents described family-level outcomes including maintaining family life and ensuring the positive adjustment of siblings. Parents wanted sufficient practical and financial resources to me...
Journal of intellectual disabilities : JOID, Jan 19, 2015
Sleep problems are more prevalent and severe among children with intellectual disabilities and au... more Sleep problems are more prevalent and severe among children with intellectual disabilities and autism compared to typically developing children. Training parents in behavioural approaches to manage sleep problems is advocated. However, delivering such interventions via groups is novel. This article reports the findings from a preliminary evaluation of a group-delivered intervention routinely delivered by a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Learning Disability team in England. For this purpose, parents (n = 23) of children with intellectual disabilities were recruited. The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Parents' Sense of Competence Scale and parent-set goals captured outcomes at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Intervention delivery costs were collected. Take-up was high (86%), and no parent dropped out. Statistically significant improvements in night wakings, parent-set goals and parents' sense of efficacy were observed. ...
The simple answer to that question is 'because disabled children... more The simple answer to that question is 'because disabled children are children first and foremost'. The vast majority of disabled children and young people in the western world live at home with their families, most attending mainstream schools, and disabled children and young people worldwide have rights to inclusion and equal treatment enshrined in national legislation and international conventions. Yet, they often remain left out—from generic children's research, from policy-making about children's services and, in their everyday ...
British Journal of Special Education, 2014
ABSTRACT For many young people in England, the move into continuing education involves a transfer... more ABSTRACT For many young people in England, the move into continuing education involves a transfer from the school where they were educated to a further education college. For those with high‐functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome, this can be a challenging process. Past research has demonstrated some of the problems that these young people can encounter. This article by Wendy Mitchell and Bryony Beresford, both based in the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York, adds to the evidence base by describing how best to support these young people, focusing specifically on ‘young person endorsed’ practice. Data are gleaned from qualitative interviews with 18 young people with high‐functioning autism/Asperger's syndrome. Findings reveal that young people welcomed the involvement of practitioners; however, specific forms of help and knowledge were particularly valued. In addition, it was parents, as opposed to professionals, who typically emerged as the most significant and valued source of support. Implications for practice are discussed, including the support needs of parents.
... Bryony Beresford, Sue Clarke and Tricia Sloper Final Report ISBN: 978-1-871713-73-2 If you ha... more ... Bryony Beresford, Sue Clarke and Tricia Sloper Final Report ISBN: 978-1-871713-73-2 If you have any comments on this report, please send these to the Children's Trust Unit at City of York Council, 10-12 George Hudson Street, York YO1 6ZE or email CTU@york.gov.uk. ...
European Childhood …, 2005
The latest population estimates give the child (under 16) population for the UK of 11,759,000. Th... more The latest population estimates give the child (under 16) population for the UK of 11,759,000. That number has declined by over 2 million since 1971 though the number has risen very slightly since 1991. Children under 16 represent just over 20 per cent of the ...
Research in Developmental Disabilities, 2014
Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to support parents of disabled children to manage ... more Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to support parents of disabled children to manage their child's behaviour problems is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate a group-delivered intervention (Riding the Rapids) which was specifically developed for parents of a child with a disability or autistic spectrum condition. This programme has been routinely delivered by a community-based mental health team across an urban, multi-ethnic locality for a number of years. A non-randomised controlled study design comprising an intervention group (n=48) and comparator (no intervention) group (n=28) was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention on child behaviour (Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory; parent-set goals) and parenting efficacy and satisfaction (Parents Sense of Competence Scale) at post-intervention and six-month follow-up. Data on costs to the service provider of delivering the intervention were also collected. Receipt of the intervention was associated with significant reductions in parent-reported behaviour problems and significant improvements in parenting efficacy and satisfaction. At six-month follow-up, progress towards achieving parent-set child behaviour goals and parenting satisfaction had been maintained. Post hoc analysis suggests parents who do not have English as a first language may not benefit as much as other parents from this intervention. Findings suggest this is a promising intervention for parents of a child with a disability that is likely to be less resource intensive to service providers than individually delivered interventions. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Journal of Mental Health, 2010
Deaf children are at greater risk of mental health problems than hearing children. Generic child ... more Deaf children are at greater risk of mental health problems than hearing children. Generic child and adolescent mental health services cannot be expected to have the expertise to work with these children. Three teams in England currently provide specialist mental health services to deaf children. The research sought to explore referrers' views of these specialist services. Interviews and a postal survey were used. Referrers were very satisfied with the service and identified the features of the service which supported positive outcomes for users. Access was, however, a significant problem. Referrers suggested developments to the service should incorporate preventive work and cascading of skills to other professional groups. Deaf children require services which are expert in deafness and mental health, and the findings suggest the specialist services are achieving this. Resolving issues of access and widening its remit are desirable ways forward in any future development of the service.
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2003
To explore the experiences of chronically ill adolescents in communicating with health profession... more To explore the experiences of chronically ill adolescents in communicating with health professionals, including the identification of factors which hinder or facilitate their use of health professionals as an information source. 63 adolescents (11-16 years) with a chronic condition (cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy, juvenile chronic arthritis, or Duchenne muscular dystrophy) were interviewed, and subsequently took part in two group discussion meetings with other adolescents of a similar age with the same condition. Data were analyzed using the framework method involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion-drawing and verification. Factors affecting the openness and effectiveness of communication included: duration and frequency of contact; gender; perceived attitudes towards adolescents; the communication skills of the adolescent and health professional; and the presence of parents and medical students/trainee doctors. The type of information needed also affected whether the adolescents felt able to discuss an issue with a health professional. Adolescents were reluctant to raise personal or sensitive issues or to ask questions that revealed poor adherence. A perceived lack of interest in the wider impacts of having a chronic condition on day-to-day life was also a barrier to adolescents discussing difficulties at school and socio-emotional problems. Communication and information provision are key roles for health professionals, yet this study highlights a population with potentially high levels of information need who are facing considerable barriers to addressing these needs. Steps taken to improve adolescent-health professional communication need to address a range of practical, attitudinal and behavioral factors.
Health & Social Care in the Community, 2012
Satisfaction with service-related choices has not received much research attention, especially be... more Satisfaction with service-related choices has not received much research attention, especially beyond medical/health-related decisions. This paper reports findings from an analysis of parents' accounts of making service-related choices with, or on behalf of, a disabled son or daughter with a degenerative condition. It focuses particularly on factors and processes, which contribute to parents' satisfaction. This is particularly interesting given that sub-optimal outcomes or negative consequences are often experienced following a service-related choice being implemented. The data reported here were collected as part of a larger, longitudinal study (the Choice and Change project) of service users' experiences of choice-making, including the outcomes and consequences of those choices. Parents of disabled young people with degenerative conditions formed part of this sample. The accounts of 14 of these parents, collected over three interviews during a two and a half-year period, all of whom expressed satisfaction with the medium- to long-term outcomes of a service-related choice, were selected for specific analyses to understand what underlies satisfaction with service-related choices. Clarity of the desired outcome for the young person supported effective decision-making and led parents to feel confident that the best possible choice was being made. Evidence of desired outcomes being attained were used by parents to 'trade off' the negative consequences of a choice. These included the considerable demands placed on parents' personal, financial and practical resources to operationalise a choice, and the emotional impact incurred by significant changes such as the loss of the carer role. The passage of time was important in allowing evidence of positive outcomes to emerge, psychological or emotional adjustments to be made, and for parents to develop trust in new service providers. The findings suggest that practitioners can have an important role in both practical and emotional support for parents' choice-making for, or with, their disabled son/daughter.