“For people with learning disabilities , finding love is often more than just chemistry – it can come down to getting the right support from your staff.” So say Choice Support, an organisation which aims to give people the choice and control to improve their lives, which is why they have set up the Supported Loving Network. The national network is made up of organisations and individuals who are passionate about improving good support for adults with learning disabilities. Its members including people with learning disabilities and/or autism, family members, and professionals from varied disciplines and sectors including social care, the NHS, sexual health professionals, trainers and educators, academics, students and psychologists. The network meets a few times a year to discuss important issues and share best practice – everything from sexual abuse to online dating.
The network has produced a Supported Loving Toolkit , a series of guides to help support people with a learning disability with issues around sex and relationships. The toolkit has been created in a collaborative spirit that embodies the network with members volunteering to write a section, using their expertise to help guide others.
You can also look at Supported Loving’s Twitter and Facebook pages, if you want to get loved up with support!
