Learning Disability Group Art Therapy: Looking and Asking

A qualitative study of group art therapy in England for adults with a learning disability accessing community services. Different stakeholder views and experiences will be gathered using ethnographically-informed group observation, semi-structured individual interviews and a focus group. People with a learning disability will support the data analysis and dissemination of findings in accessible means.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:Participants who are art therapists must:Be a HCPC registered arts therapist practicing in the UKHave experience of delivering group arts therapy in a community setting to this populationBe able to give informed consent and communicate in EnglishParticipants who are adults with a learning disability must:Be 18 years old or overHave a diagnosed learning disability or be accessing an NHS specialist learning disability service or using their personal budget to access a third sector art therapy group for this populationHave experienced mental distress, have a diagnosed mental health condition or be accessing support for their mental healthBe currently accessing group arts therapyBe able to give informed consent with adapted communication aids and approaches to meet their communication preferencesHave a level of verbal ability to ensure they can communicate their views and meaningfully engage in the studyParticipants who are paid support staff or family carers must:Be 18 years old or overBe identified by the person with a learning disability as someone who knows them well and could represent the carer perspective in this studyBe able to give informed consentHave adequate command of the English to be able to meaningfully engage in the studyParticipants will be excluded if they:Are unable to engage in the informed consent process; this is likely to exclude people who have a more severe form of learning disabilityDelivering the arts therapy group on an inpatient or acute wardTrainee arts therapists, or those who have yet to complete registration with the HCPC