bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public and Private Education in an Integrated Europe: Studying to Migrate and Teaching to Stay?
Authors: Poutvaara Panu
Published: August 2010

This paper investigates public and private choices between internationally applicable and country‐specific education when graduates are mobile. Human capital depends on innate skills and study effort with either type of education. It is shown that national governments provide too few students with internationally applicable education, and too many with country‐specific education. This effect is mitigated, but not entirely eliminated, by the introduction of a graduate tax, according to which graduates are required to pay part of their taxes to the country where they received their education, regardless of residence. However, private educational choices are socially optimal with suitably differentiated tuition fees.
Receiver Operating Characteristic Surfaces in the Presence of Verification Bias
Authors: Chi Yueh-Yun , Zhou Xiao-Hua
Published: August 2010

In diagnostic medicine, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) surface is one of the established tools for assessing the accuracy of a diagnostic test in discriminating three disease states, and the volume under the ROC surface has served as a summary index for diagnostic accuracy. In practice, the selection for definitive disease examination may be based on initial test measurements and induces verification bias in the assessment. We propose a non-parametric likelihood-based approach to construct the empirical ROC surface in the presence of differential verification, and to estimate the volume under the ROC surface. Estimators of the standard deviation are derived by both the Fisher information and the jackknife method, and their relative accuracy is evaluated in an extensive simulation study. The methodology is further extended to incorporate discrete baseline covariates in the selection process, and to compare the accuracy of a pair of diagnostic tests. We apply the proposed method to compare the diagnostic accuracy between mini-mental state examination and clinical evaluation of dementia, in discriminating between three disease states of Alzheimer's disease.
A Statistical Model for the Temporal Pattern of Individual Automated Teller Machine Withdrawals
Authors: Brentnall Adam R. , Crowder Martin J. , Hand David J.
Published: August 2010

Models of consumer behaviour that are based purely on empirical relationships in data can perform well in the short term but often degrade rapidly with changing circumstances. Superior longer-term performance can sometimes be attained by developing models for the deeper processes underlying the consumer behaviour. We develop a random-effects point process model for automated teller machine withdrawals. Estimation, prediction and computational issues are discussed. The model may be used to predict behaviour for an individual and to assess when state changes in individual behaviour have occurred and as a description of behaviour for a portfolio of accounts.
Testing the purchasing power parity in oil‐exporting countries
Authors: Mehrara Mohsen
Published: August 2010

Using panel unit root and panel cointegration tests, we investigate the purchasing power parity (PPP) for oil‐exporting countries. In addition, we also employ a seemingly unrelated regression estimator to account for possible cross‐sectional effect. The test results overwhelmingly reject the weak and strong versions of PPP hypothesis. It seems that the Dutch disease and repeated episodes of booms and busts in oil prices transmitted to the real exchange rate have made oil‐dependent countries so apt to non‐stationary real exchange rate.
Does Financial Liberalization Lower Problem Loans in Banks?
Authors: Ghosh Saibal
Published: August 2010

The paper explores whether financial liberalization promotes improved credit risk management in Indian banking in the form of fewer problem loans. Using annual data on state‐owned banks for the period 1996–2005, the paper finds that, after controlling for a myriad of factors, financial liberalization is influential in lowering banks' problem loans. Robustness tests reinforce these findings.
Lessons from the ECB Experience: Frankfurt Still Matters!
Authors: Rotondi Zeno , Vaciago Giacomo
Published: August 2010

This paper compares the European Central Bank's (ECB) conduct of monetary policy (1999–2005) with that of the Bundesbank (after the German Unification: 1990–1998) in order to test the hypothesis of an ECB with ‘Bundesbank's preferences’ put forward in the theoretical literature (Alesina and Grilli, 1993; Fatum, 2006). Econometric tests and simulations based on monetary policy reaction functions show that the continuation of the former Bundesbank regime is supported by the data. Given this empirical evidence we discuss the lessons for future Monetary Unions stemming from the ECB experience.
CONDITIONING AID ON SOCIAL EXPENDITURES
Authors: JACK WILLIAM
Published: August 2010

Aid conditionality forces countries to adopt policies that they would not otherwise choose. We examine how government discretion should be so constrained when the donor cannot fully control public expenditures, but instead can influence a less disaggregated indicator of public policy, namely the allocation of public spending between the social sectors (e.g. education, health, etc.) on the one hand and more traditional public goods (e.g. infrastructure) on the other. We first show how budget allocations will be altered when recipient government preferences are known – i.e. we characterize what policies the donor should “buy”– and how a given aid budget should be allocated between different types of countries. When recipient government preferences are not known by the donor, the permitted policies are distorted due to incentive constraints, and the extent to which aid flows are optimally differentiated between different countries is reduced.
Financial Intermediaries and Interest Rate Risk: II
Authors: Staikouras Sotiris K.
Published: August 2010

The current work extends and updates the previous survey (Staikouras, 2003) by looking at other aspects of the financial institutions' yield sensitivity. The study starts with an extensive discussion of the origins of asset‐liability management and the subsequent work to identify effective ways of measuring and managing interest rate risk. The discussion implicates both regulatory and market‐based approaches along with any issues surrounding their applicability. The literature is enriched by recognizing that structural and regulatory shifts affect financial institutions in different ways depending on the size and nature of their activities. It is also noted that such shifts could change the bank's riskiness, and force banks to adjust their balance sheet size by altering their maturity intermediation function. Besides yield changes, market cycles are also held responsible for asymmetric effects on corporate values. Furthermore, nonstandard investigations are considered, where embedded options and basis risk are significant above and beyond the intermediary's rate sensitivity, while shocks to the slope of the yield curve is identified as a new variable. When the discount privilege is modeled as an option, it is shown that its value is incorporated in the equities of qualifying banks. Finally, volatility clustering is further established while constant relative risk aversion is not present in the U.S. market. Although some empirical findings may be quite mixed, there is a general consensus that all forms of systematic risk, risk premia, and the risk‐return trade‐off do exhibit some form of variability, not only over time but also across corporate sizes and segments.
Environmental Taxation and Induced Structural Change in an Open Economy: The Role of Market Structure
Authors: Böhringer Christoph , Löschel Andreas , Welsch Heinz
Published: August 2010

Studies of structural change induced by environmental taxation usually proceed in a perfect-competition framework and typically find structural change to be quite moderate under realistic emission reduction scenarios. By observing that some of the industries affected are likely to operate under imperfect rather than perfect competition, additional mechanisms emerge which may amplify structural change beyond the extent identified as yet. Especially, changes in economies of scale may arise which weaken or strengthen the competitive position of industries over and above the initial cost effect. Using a computable general equilibrium model for Germany to examine the effects of a unilaterally introduced carbon tax, we find that induced structural change is more pronounced under imperfect competition than under perfect competition. At the macroeconomic level, we find that aggregate losses in economies of scale are larger than aggregate gains, implying that the total costs of environmental regulation are higher under imperfect competition than under perfect competition.
Modeling Expectation Formation Involving Several Sources of Information
Authors: Becker Otwin , Leitner Johannes , Leopold-Wildburger Ulrike
Published: August 2010

Experimental studies of expectation formation of subjects are predominantly limited to the prediction of one single time series despite the practical relevance of expectations in situations with multiple sources of information. In this paper, we report on an experiment in which subjects are given time series (indicators) as additional information for the judgemental forecast of a stationary time series. The quality and the number of these indicators are varied in three versions of a forecasting experiment. We explore the effects on forecasting accuracy and we test the average forecasts of the subjects for consistency with the rational expectations hypothesis. A simple heuristic is presented that explains the average forecasting behavior better than the rational expectations if indicators are presented to the subjects. It is demonstrated by a simulation study that this result is representative for the considered stationary stochastic processes.
Career aspirations of older workers: An Australian study
Authors: Pillay Hitendra , Kelly Kathy , Tones Megan
Published: August 2010

Global challenges associated with the ageing workforce include lower levels of education and negative attitudes of older workers towards learning and covert age discrimination in the workplace. This report discusses initial findings from a survey of older workers employed in regional areas in Australia. The older workers surveyed were predominantly blue collar with low levels of formal education. Contrary to the stereotypical views, there were few attitude differences between older (>40 years) and younger workers (≤40 years). However, gender, education level and job type had a greater impact on attitudes in the older workers when compared to their younger colleagues.
A ward token system: the illustrated version
Authors: WILLIAMS CHRIS , PRICE MIKE
Published: August 2010

In the previous issue of Apex (Vol. 1 No. 3,1973) we described how we had set about developing a positive reinforcement system to develop and maintain self‐help and social skills in our children using tokens as conditioned reinforcers.

This short illustrated note is to show some of the developments in pictorial form.
Young volunteers and holiday playschemes in the hospital setting
Authors: JONES ADELE
Published: August 2010

The idea of introducing young volunteers into the hospital setting may be lacking in universal appeal for a variety of reasons. Our experience, however, suggests that the potential of young people involved in voluntary work with long‐stay patients, both children and adults, should not be undervalued.

Following a successful pilot scheme in 1977, Youth Action York (a voluntary organisation concerned with, among other things, the social education of young people) was again approached by the senior administrative staff of Claypenny Hospital, Easing‐wold, North Yorkshire, to undertake a similar play‐scheme during the Easter holidays of 1978. The resultant 5‐day residential playscheme was based on two equally important objectives — a well organised, effective programme which would serve the best interests of the children taking part and the provision of a fruitful learning situation for the volunteers involved.
DEVELOPING STAFF SKILLS IN WORKING WITH THE MENTALLY/VISUALLY HANDICAPPED
Authors: BEST A. B.
Published: August 2010

This article gives an outline curriculum of a course for staff working with mentally/visually handicapped (MVH) people based on experience gained from BIMH courses already held. Some of the needs of the MVH are discussed and staff training activities are described. Severe visual handicap is found in probably 5–10 per cent of mentally handicapped people in the UK. It is suggested that there is an urgent need for the provision of in‐service training for staff who work with this group and an expansion of the course programme offered by the British Institute of Mental Handicap.
A community home for the mentally handicapped
Authors: EASTWOOD LARRANIE
Published: August 2010

For the past two years I have been running a community home for four mentally handicapped women on behalf of the local social services department. The basic idea of the scheme is to take them out of the institutional atmosphere and teach them to live as “normally” as possible in a home environment.

Our group home consists of two ordinary council houses. My family and I live in one house and the ladies live next door. In the following narrative I will try to explain how I tackled the task and how I coped with the inevitable difficulties and occasional disasters.
Punishment — viewed as a dignified alternative
Authors: MACKAY THOMAS A. W. N.
Published: August 2010

Punishment is clearly defined and re‐examined as a treatment technique in a positive and not negative light. A treatment setting involving handicapped children is described and a system of punishment is outlined as an essential part of the regime. The objections to punishment are considered and, in conclusion, a philosophical basis is provided on which it is contended that punishment is a dignified alternative.
INTEGRATION
Authors: WHARTON LESLEY
Published: August 2010

A report of a project in community integration of mentally handicapped adults (1975–1980), carried out with the support of the following agencies: Quinborne Community Centre and Association; Quinborne Public Library; the Adult Literacy Scheme; the Harborne and Quinton Institute of Further Education; Hertfordshire Association for the Disabled.
A TRIAL OF BRAN
Authors: LUPSON SUSAN , WALTON DENIS
Published: August 2010

Seven young mentally and physically handicapped patients suffering with severe chronic constipation received 3Og unrefined bran daily, mixed in their food. Prior to thetrial, none of these patients had bowel movements unless Dulcolax suppositories or laxatives were given. Within two weeks of the addition of bran to the diets, three patients were having bowel movements at least once every other day. Within three weeks all the patients were passing stools without the help of suppositories (a laxative inserted rectally) or aperients (laxatives). The trial was continued for six weeks.
Using DISTAR Language in a unit for children with language disorders
Authors: GREGORY PAUL , RICHARDS CHRISTINE , HADLEY MARY
Published: August 2010

DISTAR Language was used to teach half the children in a unit for language disordered children.

Although some children in both groups received speech therapy from the speech therapist and general language work from the teacher, the greatest difference between the groups was in the use of DISTAR Language by the experimental group. The results show that the language of both groups improved to a similar degree, but only the experimental group (which included the most severely affected language and speech disordered children) improved significantly in intelligence. The results are compared with other studies of DISTAR Language and the conclusion is that further studies would be profitable.
The law and mental handicap: 4. Sex — the present law
Authors: Gunn Mike J.
Published: August 2010

Readers are invited to send comments and queries on items raised in this series of articles or on any other aspects of law relating to people who are mentally handicapped to: The Editors, Mental Handicap Journal, BIMH, Wolverhampton Road, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY10 3PP. Contributions will be published in a later issue, together with Mr. Gunn's response.
CHANGING ATTITUDES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DISABLED
Authors: McConkey Roy , McCormack Bob
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY. Active interaction with peers who are handicapped appears to be a crucial element in changing attitudes towards people who are disabled. Moreover, it is the quality rather than the quantity of contact that is vital. This paper describes certain critical components of successful contact and how they were embodied into two community education programmes about adults who are mentally handicapped — one for use in secondary schools, the other as an adult education course.
“SKILLS TO SHARE”
Authors: Allen Peter J. H.
Published: August 2010

This paper looks at the preparation of direct care staff who, after an initial three‐week orientation period, went on to work in the community with young people who are severely mentally handicapped, all of whom had previously been residents of Northgate Hospital.

In order to move children and young people who are severely mentally handicapped back into the community, it is essential to devise a staff training programme which recognises the need for them to be seen in a positive way. This paper briefly describes the underlying values of the training period, its planning and content, and the project itself.
The Bryn‐y‐Neuadd Degree of Dependency Rating Scale:
Authors: Caddell John , Woods Peter A.
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY: The authors describe the derivation of nine categories of dependency based on age and selected items from the Wessex Mental Handicap Register. The Bryn‐y‐Neuadd Degree of Dependency Rating Scale has been used in at least three reports, and is generally recognised to be a useful instrument at the early stage of planning service requirements for developments in geographically defined areas.
QUALITY OF CARE of people with mental handicap
Authors: Moulin Lawrence
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY. This project investigated changes in the quality of care given to people with mental handicap between 1971 and 1983. Information from 1971 came from a study by King, Raynes, and Tizard; the present study used the same measures. The people involved lived in hospital wards, hostels, community units, and group homes.

It was concluded: that the general pattern of care in hostels was still more resident oriented than in hospital wards, as it was in 1971; that hospitals and hostels had both become far more resident oriented during the 12 years so that, by 1983, hospital wards were almost as resident oriented as hostels had been in 1971, while hostels were even more so.
Can all parents teach their own children?
Authors: Whitaker Simon
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY. Although over the past few years there has been an increasing trend to help parents of children who are mentally handicapped to work with their own child, there has been very little written on the factors which may determine which parents will work well with their child and which will not. This article considers some of these factors which should be taken into account before asking parents to work with their child.
Using music in mental handicap
Authors: Oldfield Amelia , Feuerhahn Carol
Published: August 2010

The work of the occupational therapists and the music therapist at the Child Development Centre, Addenbrookes' Hospital, Cambridge, is briefly described, as well as the Child Development Centre itself. A music group for parents and their young children, run jointly by the music therapist and one of the occupational therapists, is looked at in detail. The structure of the group and the various ways in which the children and the parents are helped through the music are explained.
Accommodating adults
Authors: Felce David
Published: August 2010

The revenue costs of two small houses were compared with those of five larger, local, community‐based units and two mental handicap hospitals. The community units were cheaper than the small houses and the hospitals, despite serving people with more severe handicaps. The small houses were slightly more expensive than the hospitals but, under certain assumptions, could be viewed as incurring equivalent costs. Clear evidence of economies of scale was not found except in the comparison between the community units and the small houses. However, other research has shown that small houses can provide a superior quality of care.
Care in the community: a study of the differences between two residences
Authors: Clark Theodore
Published: August 2010

The study examined the concept of “care” used by professional staff in one Social Service and one Health Service environment serving the community. Information was collected by using the children's Day Schedule which gave detailed information on what happened to each child. The results showed that children were treated as individuals within the group setting and “care” must cater for this, that orientation of care is influenced by factors other than initial training, and that good staffing levels are the key to good care.
What shall we tell the neighbours?
Authors: Leyin Alan
Published: August 2010

As housing projects for people with mental handicaps develop some challenges begin to emerge. This article presents some of the challenges and dilemmas which health authorities face when setting up small, locally based housing projects.
Role play generalisation and people with multiple handicaps
Authors: Edmondson Peter , Sockett Celia
Published: August 2010

This study examines the use of role play as a teaching tool for use with students aged 16–19 years, with multiple handicaps and non‐verbal means of communication. Skills to be taught were the communication and social skills needed in a café, pub, and supermarket. The study took approximately eight months. Assessment took place in the community situations both before and after the intervention of role‐play.
KFAR TIKVAH: Israel's village of hope
Authors: Charlton Tony , Jones Kevin
Published: August 2010

Within recent years the terms “deinstitutionalisation” and “least restrictive environments” have assumed increased prominence in the lexicon of special education. It is regrettable that the assumption is made, on occasions, that the two conditions are necessarily the same. Whilst the principle of educating people with special needs in the least restrictive environment is defensible, a contention that such an environment will occur only outside institutional settings is questionable. Understandably, therefore, there is diverse opinion, and much debate, about whether the needs of people with mental handicaps can be best met within the community or within an institution.

The intention of this article is not to regenerate the integration/segregation debate; but to provide an insight into the philosophies and practices within a unique community which has evolved in accordance with the basic principles of the Israeli kibbutz. This community, Kfar Tikvah, attempts to meet the needs of adults with severe learning difficulties.

In Israel, a country bereft of state legislative directives in the field of special education, service delivery modes often reflect the philosophies and initiatives of individuals. This article focuses upon one of those initiatives within the Kfar Tikvah community; which is less concerned with helping people with mental handicaps to become prototypes of their more “normal” peers than with aiding those people to make decisions about what they want to be and how they want to behave.

Whilst the article makes reference to published accounts of the community's work by the Director of Kfar Tikvah, its content derives mainly from interviews with him and from individual and group discussions with community members.
New directions in day activities: for people with multiple handicaps and challenging behaviour
Authors: Allen David , Gillard Nick , Watkins Peter , Norman Guy
Published: August 2010

The design and development of a community based day service for people with multiple handicaps and challenging behaviour in South Glamorgan is described. The service has demonstrated that it is possible to create packages of day care which are based almost entirely within community facilities available to the general public. The implications of this model of service for people with severe handicaps are discussed.
CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR AND COMMUNITY SERVICES 6. Evaluation and overview
Authors: Emerson Eric , Cummings Richard , Hughes Heather , Toogood Sandy , McCool Christine , Barrett Sheila
Published: August 2010

This final paper in a six‐part series provides an overview of the work of the South East Thames Regional Health Authority's Special Development Team and gives the results of an informal initial assessment of the Team's effectiveness. It would seem that the quality of life of many of the service users involved has been improved but that continued effort is necessary to maintain or extend this. It is likely that the Team has also had some influence on general service development. It is to continue for a further five years.
Intrinsic interest of objects for elderly people in long‐stay mental handicap hospitals
Authors: Chamove Arnold , McInnes Kimberley
Published: August 2010

When 97 elderly people with mental handicaps were observed on three long‐stay hospital wards, it was found that objects on the wards were used more if they were personal possessions, especially by the women. Manipulability of objects for women and sociability of objects for men also increased object interest. Most (60 per cent) of the 522 objects on the wards were never seen to be used.
THE RIGHT TO KNOWLEDGE: of people with mental handicaps who are receiving mental health care
Authors: Cottle Mandy Jane
Published: August 2010

An important and major task for services is to inform service users of their rights and how to exercise them. Some of the people using the Mental Impairment Evaluation and Treatment Service, which is based in a psychiatric hospital, do so on an informal basis. Others have been admitted formally under a section of the Mental Health Act, 1983.

Using a semi‐structured interview schedule, it was found that service users had differing levels of knowledge about the Act, and how it affects their lives. A series of group sessions was organised, designed primarily to inform them about the Act, and about their rights in relation to Mental Health Review Tribunals.

The interview schedule was used again after the sessions, when most people appeared to have gained new information. Possible improvements to the group sessions are discussed.
An evaluation of the effects of relocation within institutions: Part 2. Implementation at Prudhoe Hospital
Authors: Wood Andy , Firth Hugh , Holtom Rebecca
Published: August 2010

Involuntary relocation within long‐stay institutions has been common. Recent policy has led to the rapid contraction of many large hospitals, with consequent disruption to many of the people living in them.

Part 1 of this series reviewed the effects of involuntary relocation. This second article describes the principles and procedures adopted at Prudhoe Hospital to minimise the adverse effects of such disturbances on individuals. Personal responsibility by senior officers and carefully thought‐through procedures enabled disruption to be limited to the smallest possible number of people. People who demonstrated a reluctance to move were allowed to make some effective choices.
PROBLEM BEHAVIOURS and people with profound and multiple handicaps
Authors: Presland John L.
Published: August 2010

Community services are increasingly concerned with people who have profound and multiple handicaps, who often show problem behaviours. This article outlines the nature and causes of such behaviours and summarises the main kinds of helping techniques which are available. These are based on the ABC model of assessment and include methods of increasing more desirable behaviours as alternatives to problem behaviours, altering the environmental circumstances and events thought to be promoting problem behaviours, and decreasing problem behaviours directly. Readers are referred to sources which offer practical guidance on implementing these approaches.
The Huddersfield Abilities Scale (HAS): A Brief Scale for Assessing the Abilities of People with Learning Difficulties
Authors: Whitaker Simon , Weaver Paul
Published: August 2010

There are an increasing number of registers for individuals with learning difficulties. This paper briefly summarises the need for and requirement of such registers. An account is given of the development of a new set of assessment scales which are hopefully well suited as a basis for gathering information for use in a computerised local learning difficulty register.
On‐the‐Job Training for Residential Staff
Authors: Henderson Rik , Crowhurst Greg
Published: August 2010

The introduction of the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) for care staff should mean existing skills are formally recognised. Managers should look to develop their training role and investigate novel training methods. Four areas for examination are discussed. (1) Shift planning which we believe is valuable but shift plans are a tool for staff to use, not a book of rules. Direct management intervention is essential. (2) Household & community activities are the key to successful residential services and staff training is a priority. Three main training methods are considered: role‐modelling, verbal instruction, taking staff aside. (3) Teaching skills—whilst preparation can be done in staff meetings etc., actual teaching is truly ‘on‐the‐job’. Demonstration is often invaluable. Direct observation and feedback is paramount. (4) Coping strategies—challenging behaviour is an obstacle to participation. Staff find it hard to value clients who behave inappropriately. Managers should ‘drop everything’ to support staff in these situations.
Mental Handicap Hospital: Issues of Primary and Psychiatric Care
Authors: James A. , Bouras N.
Published: August 2010

This article describes a five year follow‐up survey of severity of mental handicap, behavioural disturbance, psychotropic medication and psychiatric illness in residents of a mental handicap hospital in South East London. Levels of behavioural disturbance had dropped since the previous survey, and the vast majority of residents had no diagnosable psychiatric illness. Residents' medical needs are met by general practitioners with psychiatrists providing expert advice and treatment where necessary.
A Communication Course for Adults with Profound Intellectual Disability and Physical Disabilities
Authors: Park Keith
Published: August 2010

From September to December 1989 Ipswich TAFE (an adult education facility near Brisbane, Queensland) hosted a Communication Course for five adults who each have a profound intellectual disability and physical disability (in the UK this is the equivalent of profound and multiple learning difficulties). None of the five students possess skills of intentional communication. The course is believed to be the first one of its kind in Australia and was of an experimental nature. The course content is described. The main aim of this presentation is to share information and to invite collaboration from others in similar areas of work.
Support Needs of Residential Units
Authors: Blair Alan , Collins Graham J.
Published: August 2010

With increasing dispersion of residences for people with learning difficulties into smaller units in the community, the issue of support systems become more important. This paper describes a survey of 15 residential managers in Mansfield and Ashfield to discover their perceptions of need for support and shortfalls in provision. The areas considered most important by the managers were staff support and staff development. The areas where the biggest shortfalls were perceived were support for residents needs, staff support and staff development. There was considerable variation between units. On the whole, managers of units run by statutory agencies felt that the needs for support for their services were met more adequately than managers of units run by nonstatutory agencies. Some of the implications of these findings are discussed.
The Southampton Action on Quality Project
Authors: Spackman Angela
Published: August 2010

The Southampton Action on Quality Project is funded by the Mental Handicap Services Unit of Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority. The aim of the project is to develop a total quality management approach in the service so as to continually improve the quality of life of clients. Unit by unit, workshops based on a modified version of the Welsh Standards Matrix have been carried out and followed up by regular review meetings. Early indications are that the approach has contributed to staff commitment to quality and led to changes in service provision that should enhance the clients' quality of life. The next phase of the project will be concerned with monitoring the extent to which the clients' quality of life has been affected by service changes.
Family Undoing
Authors: Booth Wendy , Booth Tim
Published: August 2010

Since it was first coined the term ‘an ordinary life’ has become a shorthand way of expressing the principle that people with learning difficulties have a right and a need to live like others in the community. For most people an ordinary life means marriage and children. Yet people with learning difficulties still face an uphill struggle in proving their fitness for parenthood (Booth & Booth, 1992). Here Sarah Armstrong tells her story in her own words. The Armstrongs illustrate the challenge that practitioners still have to address in finding a balance between child protection and family support. As Prosser (1992) has argued, professional practice too often ‘seems to see the good of the child requiring the sacrifice of the family’. The possibility that parent–child relationships are worth supporting even though they may not meet all the child's needs has to be regarded more seriously (Gilhool & Gran, 1985). The literature on parenting by people with learning difficulties (see, for example, Tymchuk et al., 1987) has drawn almost exclusively on expert, official, clinical or professional sources of evidence; the parents as people rarely make any appearance (Booth & Booth, 1993). In a context where wide discrepancies often exist between parent and professional perspectives (Llewellyn, nd.), the development of more responsive services entails listening carefully to users like Sarah Armstrong (especially on issues like access and counselling). Although not representative of parents with learning difficulties in any statistical sense, her story is true to the experience of many parents in our study (Booth & Booth, forthcoming).
Making provision for younger pupils with autistic spectrum disorders
Authors: Evans Jennifer
Published: August 2010

Recent research carried out in England and Wales designed to explore definitions and incidence of, and provision for, young children with autistic spectrum disorders in 74 local education authorities suggests that, although there are various models of provision in different LEAs, there is a trend towards making specialist provision within existing settings and the development of outreach support to help schools develop their own provision. Provision is being driven by a number factors: the increasing state of knowledge and interest among professionals in education, health and social services; the recognition that early intervention is a key factor in supporting this group of children in achieving their potential; and parental pressure on local authorities to make provision.
Childhood disability and parental appeals: the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for England and Wales
Authors: Davie Ronald , Nicholson Jonathan
Published: August 2010

The Special Educational Needs Tribunal in England and Wales was established in 1993 to resolve disputes between local authorities and parents, relating to children's special educational needs. This paper provides a brief historical perspective to the Tribunal, and sets out its composition, legal powers and procedures. It considers the number and nature of appeals heard by the Tribunal and analyses their outcomes. Research centred on evaluating the Tribunal's performance is summarised and discussed. Finally, some current issues regarding the Tribunal system are discussed and its balance of judicial powers and professional expertise is considered in an international context.
Establishing and maintaining contact between peers with and without severe or profound and complex learning difficulties
Authors: Shevlin Michael
Published: August 2010

In many parts of the world young people with severe or profound and complex learning difficulties encounter serious problems in gaining access to mainstream education. As a result, interactions between these groups of young people and their mainstream peers are extremely rare. In Ireland a schools’ link programme was established in an attempt to foster ongoing contact through shared curricular activities. This paper explores whether contact established during the programme continued in any meaningful way after the programme finished. Results indicate that, though well intentioned, mainstream students tended to either lose contact completely or retain minimal contact. It can be concluded that structured supports are essential to maintain meaningful contact over time.
Autonomy and social skills: a group‐based programme with adolescents with learning difficulties for the enhancement of personal autonomy and social skills
Authors: Reiter Shunit
Published: August 2010

A group‐based educational programme on life skills was implemented with eleven participants with moderate learning difficulties, aged 17–18 years, for nine months. The aim of the programme was to enhance autonomy by means of group cohesion and the teaching of social skills. Teaching was based on the internalisation cycle model. The analysis of group processes was completed by means of content analysis of the teacher's detailed reports. Students’ outcomes were computed on three questionnaires that were administered at the beginning and end of the programme: the Quality of Life questionnaire (Schalock & Keith, 1993), The Progress Assessment Charts of Social Development (Gunzburg, 1972), and the Self‐Concept scale (Fitts,1964). Significant changes occurred in the area of social integration; at the end participants expressed a more positive feeling concerning friends. Significant improvements occurred in nearly all areas of social skills: self‐help, socialisation, communication and occupation. No changes occurred in the self‐concept; it was high and positive at the beginning and at the end the programme. The findings confirm the efficacy of a group‐based educational programme with participants with learning difficulties.
Special education, academic self‐concept and achievement: profile differences between six groups of students
Authors: Persson Bengt
Published: August 2010

The aims of the study presented in this paper were twofold:

to analyse if and how pupils who received some kind of special education differed from students who received no such support with respect to different self‐concept and ability factors; and

to investigate substantive consequences of different theoretical bases for statistical modelling.
Individualised educational programmes. Part II: raising the attainment of pupils with special educational needs
Authors: Riddell Sheila , Kane Jean , Banks Pauline , Wilson Alastair , Baynes Anne , Dyson Alan , Millward Alan
Published: August 2010

This paper is based on an investigation into individualised educational programmes (IEPs). The project, entitled ‘Raising the Attainment of Pupils with Special Educational Needs’, was commissioned by the Scottish Executive Education Department in 2000 and was completed in 2001. A literature review published previously traces the origins of IEPs and compares and contrasts their use in education systems in the UK, elsewhere in Europe, in the USA and in Australia.
Addressing educational needs of children with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Naudé Hendrina , Pretorius Etheresia
Published: August 2010

With the increased occurrence of HIV and AIDS among children, the education system of countries is particularly burdened as these children survive into adulthood and beyond, as anti‐retroviral regimens are increasingly effective in prolonging life. One of the most challenging problems presented to educators, when confronted with the growing HIV/AIDS school population, is the planning of education programmes based on these children's information‐processing strengths, but also taking into account HIV/AIDS related cognitive restraints. An education‐focused response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic requires a clear understanding of medical and neuropsychological effects of HIV/AIDS‐related illness on cognition and residual learning difficulties, as well as a clear understanding of the educational needs of these learners. The impact of medical conditions such as HIV encephalopathy or encephalitis (also know as the AIDS dementia complex), subcortical dementia, cranial calcifications, non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), cerebrovascular disease, progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML), white matter disease, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, meningitis and ophthalmic problems leading to educational difficulties are discussed. From this information we propose an instructional delivery framework for children with HIV/AIDS and argue the importance of addressing the educational needs of this growing population of children. A broad multidisciplinary approach is essential if we are to understand the complexity of the pandemic and respond to it.
Optimizing livestock manure applications to reduce nitrate and ammonia pollution:scenario analysis using the MANNER model
Authors: Webb J. , Henderson D. , Anthony S.G.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Measures to reduce ammonia (NH3) emissions by incorporating livestock manures into the soil may increase the potential for nitrate (NO3‐) leaching. The Manure Evaluation Routine (MANNER) model estimates the amount of N available to crops following livestock manure applications after calculating losses due to NH3 volatilization and NO3‐ leaching. The main objective of this study was to use the MANNER model to quantify the impact on NO3‐ leaching of introducing measures to reduce NH3 emissions, following application of livestock manures. The data produced were also used to make preliminary estimates of the likely effect of selected NH3 abatement techniques on the potential for nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. At typical UK rates of application, the potential for increased NO3‐ leaching following either injection of slurry or rapid incorporation of solid manures was greatest for broiler/turkey manure (22–58 kg N ha–1) and least for straw‐based cattle manure (6–10 kg N ha–1). The results suggest that in order to avoid substantially increasing the potential for NO3‐ leaching as a consequence of NH3 abatement, livestock manures should not be applied by low NH3 emission techniques prior to autumn‐sown crops in the UK. Instead, low‐emission applications should be made from October onwards to grassland and where possible, late autumn‐sown combinable crops or to arable land which will be planted in the spring. However, in several areas of England and Wales there is currently insufficient land planted to spring crops on which to incorporate the livestock manures produced in those areas.
Residual effects of pig slurry applied to a Mediterranean soil on yield and N uptake of a subsequent wheat crop
Authors: Daudén A. , Quílez D. , Martínez C.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. In areas of intensive pig farming, fresh pig slurry is often applied annually to the same fields. Thus, to avoid nitrogen (N) losses correct fertilizer practice should take account of residual effects of slurry on the following crops. The residual effects of different rates of slurry applied during three years were evaluated in subsequent wheat crops. The experiment was conducted on an irrigated Mediterranean Typic Xerofluvent soil, where plots were left unfertilized or fertilized with 150 kg N ha−1 as ammonium nitrate. Grain yield and grain N uptake increased with slurry rates in both fertilized and unfertilized treatments. The increases in the unfertilized treatments were interpreted as a nitrogen effect of the previous 1996–98 slurry applications. The equivalent mineral N released from the pig slurry was underestimated by two existing decay‐series approaches. Although decay‐series are useful tools for estimating manure residual effects they should be adjusted for local conditions. A significant positive relationship was detected between apparent N use efficiency of the slurry and the total amount of applied organic N, which was interpreted as a specific residual effect rather than due to the N dose of previously applied pig slurry.
Recycling municipal wastes in the future: from organic to inorganic forms?
Authors: Kirchmann H. , Nyamangara J. , Cohen Y.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. This paper highlights the principal problems related to the recycling of municipal wastes to arable land and outlines future solutions. History reveals that transport of sewage with water was introduced early (2500 bc), but only some Asian societies, which did not utilize sewage flushing, redistributed toilet wastes to arable land effectively. Nutrient flow analyses in developed countries indicate a withdrawal of 20 kg N and 3 kg P ha−1 yr−1 from arable land because of non‐return of organic human wastes. Limited reuse of municipal organic wastes in agriculture in several European countries is often seen as a question of waste quality. However, we believe that despite acceptable quality levels only minor progress in recycling has been achieved. Higher water contents in organic wastes than in harvested crops and, consequently, high costs for drying or transportation of wastes, often in combination with non‐optimal plant nutrient composition, will remain the bottleneck which restricts the recycling of nutrients in wastes. One solution is to extract nutrients out of organic wastes and thereby derive concentrated compounds similar to those in inorganic fertilizers that can be redistributed and applied to soil. The challenge for modern sewage treatment systems is to shift perspective from removal to recovery of nutrients.
The Representative Soil Sampling Scheme of England and Wales: a statistical analysis of topsoil nutrient status and pH between 1971 and 2001
Authors: Oliver M. A. , Archer J. R. , Baxter S. J. , Todd A. D. , Skinner R. J.
Published: August 2010

The Representative Soil Sampling Scheme of England and Wales has recorded information on the soil of agricultural land in England and Wales since 1969. It is a valuable source of information about the soil in the context of monitoring for sustainable agricultural development. Changes in soil nutrient status and pH were examined over the period 1971–2001. Several methods of statistical analysis were applied to data from the surveys during this period. The main focus here is on the data for 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001. The results of examining change over time in general show that levels of potassium in the soil have increased, those of magnesium have remained fairly constant, those of phosphorus have declined and pH has changed little. Future sampling needs have been assessed in the context of monitoring, to determine the mean at a given level of confidence and tolerable error and to detect change in the mean over time at these same levels over periods of 5 and 10 years. The results of a non‐hierarchical multivariate classification suggest that England and Wales could be stratified to optimize future sampling and analysis. To monitor soil quality and health more generally than for agriculture, more of the country should be sampled and a wider range of properties recorded.