Further Information: Models and tools
For health and social care professionals to discuss sex and sexuality
Holistic common assessment of needs
Sex and the 3Rs: Rights, Responsibilities and Risks
Batteries not included is a sexuality resource pack for working with people with complex communication needs produced by Sense Scotland and Common Knowledge. www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/courses/db/battery7.html
CHANGE project In 2012 CHANGE developed innovative ways of teaching people with learning disabilities about sexual health using toolkits, drama and the arts. For more information about the project contact Philipa on 0113 388011 or Philipa@change-people.co.uk
Holistic common assessment of needs The Holistic Common Assessment of Supportive and Palliative Care Needs for Adults with Cancer report was commissioned by the Cancer Action Team to review the most effective way forward in assessment of supportive and palliative care for cancer patients. The report sets out a description of how to develop a unified approach to the assessment and recording of patients’ needs. It dictates that we should assess ‘sexuality’ and relationships at various points in the cancer journey just the same as we do all other aspects of holistic care. These points are: at diagnosis, before treatment, after treatment, in follow up and at discharge, whether that is through cure or to palliative care (which acknowledges the roll of intimacy at the end of life). www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications
Jemma and Jack talk about sex This project is aimed at clients with learning disabilities. It is available as a 130 slide PowerPoint presentation, PDF or a spiral bound pack. If purchased as an Education Pack 2, puppets are included (Ethnic origins and gender can be chosen). £90 www.sreresources.com/shop-and-products
PLISSIT The acronymn stands for client Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, and Intensive Therapy. You provide: permission for the client to discuss their sexual difficulties and problems; limited information to the best of your ability; specific suggestions for action; therapy if you agree it’s needed. References include: The Extended PLISSIT Model for Addressing the Sexual Wellbeing of Individuals with an Acquired Disability or Chronic Illness Taylor B & Davis S, 2007, Sexuality & Disability, 25, 3, 135-139; Using the Extended PLISSIT Model to Address Sexuality in Primary Care,Taylor B & Davis S, 2006, Nursing Standard, 21, 11, 35-41; From PLISSIT to Ex-PLISSIT Davis S & Taylor B, in Rehabilitation: The Use of Theories and Models in Practice , Davis S Ed, 2006, Ch 6, pub Elsevier
Recognition model This is a new model expanding on PLISSIT for use with disabled people. It takes a team approach to protect and support the sexual health of service users, drawing on existing skills within the team, and depending on every team member, regardless of role. It encourages positive response to direct or indirect questions asked by the service user, thereby affirming the relevance and priority he or she may attach to sexual expression. Proposing a new sexual health model of practice for use by physical disability teams: The Recognition Model. Couldrick L, Sadlo G, Cross V, 2010, International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 17, 6, 290-299. www.mstrust.org.uk/professionals/information/wayahead/articles/13022009_04.jsp
Sex and the 3Rs: Rights, Responsibilities and Risks A sex education package for working with people with learning difficulties by Michelle McCarthy and David Thompson, 2008, pub Loose Leaf
Sexological competence study Sexological competence of different rehabilitation disciplines and effects of a discipline-specific sexological training Post MWM Gianotten WL, Heijnen L, Hille Ris, Lambers EJ, Willems M, 2008, Sex Disability, 26, 3-14
Training in sexology paper A model for the rehabilitation setting, Gianotten WL, Bender J, Post M, Höing M, 2006, Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 21, 303-317. This paper explores the issue of sexology training for medical and paramedical professionals.
Values workshop A workshop originally created by Victoria Mackenzie at the YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities in New York and adapted by Dr Tuppy Owens. It is aimed at convincing colleagues, staff and governors to allow clients their own form of sexual expression and not allow personal values and beliefs to get in the way (see Values Workshop).