Editorial

Citation

Mc Nicholl, D. (2012), "Editorial", Social Care and Neurodisability, Vol. 3 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/scn.2012.56103caa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Social Care and Neurodisability, Volume 3, Issue 3

Welcome to Volume 3, Issue 3 of Social Care and Neurodisability. This quarterly journal aims to be a single source of knowledge on legislation, best practice and research for those working with, and affected by, neurological conditions.

There is an extremely interesting selection of practice and legal papers in this issue. The first, written by Judy Wurr, highlights problems that will be familiar to many readers of this journal, as it explores the difficulties faced by young adults in trying to access appropriate statutory services.

The second paper, which is the first of two articles on a similar topic by Bill McKitterick, deals with the difficult issues of recruitment and retention of social workers generally. It is intended that his second paper in a later issue will deal with these matters as they more specifically apply to social work services for people with acquired neurological disorders.

Mark Holloway’s paper is a timely critique of Motivational Interviewing and its application to people with acquired brain injuries and, in particular, its effectiveness in increasing engagement with services of people with acquired brain injuries. Mark’s paper has the potential to create some interesting discussion in those who provide rehabilitation services and those who advocate Motivational Interviewing.

With regards to rehabilitation, the paper by Rob Poppleton, Lynne Turner-Stokes, Rohit Dhillon and Katie Schoewenaars is an up-to-date and thorough account of current criteria for specialist neurorehabilitation services and the journey of one service in endeavouring to meet those criteria; addressing the issues of finance, activity and outcome measures along the way. This paper is a must read for anyone currently providing, hoping to provide or commissioning specialist rehabilitation services.

The final paper in this issue, by Ian Wise and Kate Whittaker, is a welcome addition as it addresses issues related to children, in particular the legal obligations and duties placed upon public bodies towards children with acquired brain injuries.

In the Forum, Keith Jenkins not only informs the reader of up and coming events but also gives a reflective account on lessons learnt from the recent Northamptonshire Brain Injury Forum Conference, of which he is a member. I attended one of the days and heard some excellent presentations from both local and nationally known clinicians. Keith also informs the reader about the Manifesto for Acquired Brain Injury, “Life after brain injury? Improve services now” which was launched at the House of Lords on July 2. Further information can be obtained from UKABIF directly.

I hope you enjoy the variety of both the type and content of papers in this issue and, as always, find practical relevance and application for your own endeavours.

Declan Mc Nicholl