Online films raise awareness of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities

Royal Mencap Society and the PMLD Network have launched a series of free films and how-to guides to help people better meet the needs of those with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), a group of people that has often been marginalised.

The free online ‘Raising our sights’ guides and films, have been funded by the Department of Health and are aimed at commissioners, families and organisations responsible for supporting or developing services for people with PMLD within their local communities.

The guides are brought to life by six short films, which share the stories of individuals with PMLD.

Beverley Dawkins, policy manager at Mencap said: “These guides and films will help raise the profile of people with PMLD, and their families. The stories will inspire families about what is possible in terms of services and support, and the practical information will equip them to ask for this.”

“They are an absolute must-read and must-see for people responsible for commissioning services and other health and social care professionals, who are often not aware of how best to support this group of people.”

The guides have been developed to help local areas meet the recommendations from Professor Jim Mansell’s Raising our sights report (2010), which looked at services and support for people with PMLD.

The ten guides cover a range of key issues relevant to people PMLD and their families including effective communication, support for families, advocacy, and personalisation. They each give examples of best practice, and have sections to help families and others challenge and campaign where they are not getting the right support.

In addition, there is also a guide designed specifically for commissioners with practical help and advice on how best to provide services at a local level.

The guides are available at: www.mencap.org.uk/raisingoursights

There are 1.5m people with a learning disability in the UK. People with profound and multiple learning disabilities need high levels of support.