Investigating the Experiences of Professionals Working with People who are Homeless and in Contact with Learning Disability Services Available to Purchase

People who are homeless and have a learning disability tend to be more vulnerable and have greater health needs than homeless people who do not have a learning disability (Leedham, 2002). However, the literature on the experiences of this population is very limited. This paper investigates the experiences and views of professionals from a range of settings who work with people who are homeless and have a learning disability. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 23 professionals working for health, social care, probation, employment and voluntary agencies. Professionals described how people who are homeless and have a learning disability have a range of complex personal, health and social needs that are often not met by current accommodation and support provision. Improvements to the quality of temporary accommodation and the on‐site support offered are needed in order to react effectively to episodes of homelessness. In addition, improvements in the quality of outreach support and a greater choice of suitable housing might help to prevent homelessness among this client group. Another paper on a difference aspect of this research (Hebblethwaite et al, this issue) will report on the personal experiences of homeless people with a learning disability.