Commentary on “workforce development: perspectives from people with learning disabilities”

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore links between the staff values and skills identified by Davies and Matuska and other literature. The commentary aims to place these values and skills in the context of established approaches to working with people with learning disabilities, to explore their impact on recruitment and to outline limitations on their applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The commentary explores the implications of Davies and Matuska’s findings, relating these to previous research and policy literature.

Findings

The commentary argues that it is important to stress the complexity of working with people with learning disabilities and the qualities of workers required. In addition, the importance of values-based recruitment (VBR) is also supported. Finally, the commentary points to the importance of creative ways of overcoming the limitations presented by current austerity policies.

Originality/value

The commentary links characteristics and skills of staff valued by people with learning disabilities with person-centred care and VBR.

Citation

Stevens, M. (2018), "Commentary on “workforce development: perspectives from people with learning disabilities”", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 173-177. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-08-2018-0024