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A Scottish Executive Review of Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for Children and Speech and Language Therapy for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Part 4 Investigating the Current Picture
1. In order to assist the review, Queen Margaret University College was asked to collect information about the current supply, management, organisation and funding of Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy for children and Speech and Language Therapy for adults with learning disabilities and/or ASD.
METHODOLOGY FOR THE INVESTIGATION
2. The investigation was undertaken as two separate, but inter-linked, studies which were carried out in parallel. One study examined Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy for children and the second study examined Speech and Language Therapy for adults with learning disabilities and/or ASD. In each study, information was gathered in two phases.
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Investigation of children's therapy
3. In phase one, between April and July 2002, a series of surveys were sent to managers of NHS and Local Authority therapy as well as voluntary organisations. The database of NHS managers was compiled in consultation with professional advisors and networks such as the Therapy Managers Network. Local Authority questionnaires were sent to Local Authority Chief Executives and to members of the Association of Directors of Social Work illness, disability and sensory impairment sub-group. Voluntary sector providers were identified by advertising in professional journals and through professional contacts. Some information was gathered by telephone from voluntary organisations. Questionnaires were also sent to Scottish universities providing pre-registration training for Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists.
4. In phase two, between August and September 2002, the following procedures were carried out in two NHS Board areas:
group interviews were held with purchasers of Speech and Language Therapy from Local Authority education departments
individual interviews were held with four managers of Speech and Language Therapy
two Occupational Therapy managers and two Physiotherapy managers were interviewed.
Investigation of therapy for adults with learning disabilities and/or ASD
5. In phase one, between April and July 2002, a survey was sent to NHS managers of Speech and Language Therapy for people with learning disabilities. QMUC were advised that there are few specialist Speech and Language Therapists for adults with ASD and that these services are typically provided by therapists working with adults with learning disabilities. Data relating to this client group were, therefore, collected through learning disability services. The database of
NHS managers was compiled in consultation with professional advisors and a therapy
managers' network.
6. QMUC identified voluntary sector providers through professional contacts and by advertising the review in professional journals. Information was gathered by telephone from voluntary organisations.
7. In phase two, between August and September 2002, interviews were conducted with a manager of a Speech and Language Therapy service for people with learning disabilities in each of the two NHS Board areas.
DATA ANALYSIS
8. The survey data were analysed using Excel and SPSS software. Interviews and focus groups were recorded by a scribe and an audio-recording was made as a back up resource. A framework approach was used to analyse data from interviews and focus groups.
25 This approach is particularly relevant to policy and practice-orientated investigations. The framework was developed from the objectives of the review. Data relating specifically to supply, demand, funding, management and organisational issues were identified. Further thematic analysis identified additional categories to be included in the framework.
LIMITATIONS OF THE INVESTIGATION
9. One of the strengths of the investigation was that it was undertaken within a short timeframe ensuring its relevance to current policy and practice. However, there were some limitations within the investigation. Resources only allowed a small number of services and Local Authorities to be interviewed in phase two and consultation with people with learning disabilities and disabled children and their parents was limited at this stage.
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