Learning disability training and probation officer knowledge
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-10-2019-0018 |
| Date | 13 January 2020 |
| Pages | 117-131 |
| Published date | 13 January 2020 |
| Author | Margaret Townsend,Jayne Henry,Rachel R. Holt |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities,Offending behaviour,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Deviant behaviour,Education,Special education/gifted education,Emotional/behavioural disorders |
Learning disability training and
probation officer knowledge
Margaret Townsend, Jayne Henry and Rachel R. Holt
Abstract
Purpose –Knowledge about learningdisabilities has found to be limited in both health and social care
staff. To improve the treatmentof individuals with learning disabilities and mentalhealth problems within
the criminaljustice system (CJS), Lord Bradleyrecommends that professionalsreceive mental health and
learning disability awareness training. However, little is known about the impact of training on the
knowledge of professionals in the CJS. This study aims to investigate the impact of a 3-h learning
disabilitytraining session on the knowledge of probation officers.
Design/methodology/approach –Using a repeated measures design, the impact of a 3-h learning
disabilitytraining session on the knowledge of 12 probation officerswas analysed.
Findings –In support of this study’s hypothesis, a repeated measures t-test revealed a significantdifference
between participants pre-training and post-training learning disability knowledge questionnaire (LDKQ)
scores. Participants scored significantly higher on the LDKQ post-training compared to pre-training. A linear
regression revealed that years worked in probation did notsignificantly predict participant’s difference scores.
Research limitations/implications –Limitations of this study and directions for future studies are
discussed.
Originality/value –This paperdemonstrates that learning disabilitytraining can significantly improve the
knowledgeof probation officers.
Keywords Training, Knowledge, Learning disability, Intellectual disability, Offender managers,
Probation officers, Intellectual
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Knowledge about learning disabilities in the Criminal Justice System
Knowledge about learning disabilities has been found to be limited in both healthand social
care staff (McKenzie et al., 1999a,1999b,2001). A learning disability can be defined as
reduced intellectual functioning and difficulty with social functioning (MENCAP, 2018). To
be diagnosed as having a learning disability, a person must demonstrate a significant
impairment of intellectual functioning (an intelligent quotient [IQ]of less than 70) and day-to-
day functioning, and there must be evidence of a learning disability before the age of 18
[British Psychological Society (Professional Affairs Board), 2000]. Researchers struggle to
identify a reliable estimate of people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system
(CJS); however, many studies have found an over-representation of people with learning
disabilities in the CJS (Hayes et al., 2007;Fazel et al., 2008).
Lord Bradley was asked by the government to investigate the treatment of individuals with
learning disabilities and mental health problems within the CJS. In his review, Lord Bradley
identified a number of improvements that the police, the courts, prison and resettlement
institutions could make to better the treatment of those with a learning disability. In
particular, a recurrent suggestion made throughout the review was that staff within the CJS
should have learning disabilitytraining.
Margaret Townsend is
based at the Offending
Behaviour Intervention
Service, Hertfordshire
Partnership University NHS
Foundation Trust, Radlett,
UK. Jayne Henry is based
at the National Probation
Service, Lancaster, UK.
Rachel R. Holt is based at
the Offending Behaviour
Intervention Service,
Hertfordshire Partnership
University NHS Foundation
Trust, Radlett, UK.
Received 2 October 2019
Revised 20 November 2019
Accepted 11 December 2019
DOI 10.1108/JIDOB-10-2019-0018 VOL. 11 NO. 2 2020, pp. 117-131, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8824 jJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR jPAGE 117
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