IRISS.FM

As part of Learning Disability Week 2017, we held a roundtable discussion on the topic of parents with learning disabilities to coincide with the launch of our new Iriss Insight on the topic. The discussion highlights how best we can support families where one or both parents have learning disabilities, raises awareness of the key issues, and promotes debate and progress. It involved Bianca Wood, People First Scotland; Gillian McIntyre, University of Strathclyde; Andy Miller, Policy and Implementation Officer at Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD); Amanda Muir, Development Manager at Equal Say; and David Barr, Assistant Director at Aberlour. Bianca is chairperson of the People First (Scotland) Parents' Group, a self-advocacy group of parents with learning disabilities. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Reports of hate crime in Scotland have increased and research indicates that the trauma experienced by victims of hate crime can be more enduring and harmful than non-hate related offending and that it has detrimental effects on communities as well as individuals. There is a clear role for criminal justice social work in this area in working with perpetrators. Rania Hamad, City of Edinburgh Council spoke to us about her research on the topic. It aims to: define 'hate crime' and highlight the complexities around definitions provide an understanding of the scope and nature of hate crime in Scotland and Edinburgh explore the causes of hate crime, including individual and wider structural causation outline the 'characteristics' of hate crime perpetrators including a discussion around risk assessment explore what can be learned from hate crime interventions explore 'best practice' for practitioners in this area of work highlight gaps in current knowledgeRead: Hate crime: causes, motivations and effective interven

Michael McEwan speaks to Chris Creegan, Chief Executive of the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD) about Learning Disability Week 2017. The theme for this year is: 'Looking back, thinking forward', which will celebrate achievements, ask searching questions about what needs to happen going forward, and engage the general public on the subject, in the hope of changing attitudes. Chris also gives us some information on SCLD - its ambitions, and current and future focus. What's on over Learning Disability Week. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Michael McEwan speaks to Loretta Galloway, Learning Disability Service Manager at Unity Enterprise, about the services and supports the organisation provides. Unity Enterprise on Facebook. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Iriss.fm recently spoke to Kirsty Wilson from Alzheimer Scotland about two upcoming events in 2017: their annual conference and the national Dementia Awards. She also tells us about some of the exciting work being undertaken by Alzheimer Scotland this year. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

On 21st February 2017, Iriss.fm spoke to Cathy McGregor and Lorraine Gillies from Audit Scotland about the national self-directed support survey that has been recently circulated. Audit Scotland is keen to get as many responses as possible before 27 February - stories (positive or negative) of people's experiences of self-directed support or experiences of supporting someone to use self-directed support. They told us about the current data on self-directed support, aims and content of the survey, responses so far, and the plan for the findings. Resource published in August: Self-directed support: progress report 2017. Want to know more about Iriss' work on self-directed support (SDS)? Visit Pilotlight, an Iriss project focused on creating pathways to self-directed support for people across Scotland. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this episode, Michael McEwan speaks to Alison Cairns, Chief Executive of Bipolar Scotland, about what the supports and services the organisation provides. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

On 30 November 2016, the Health and Social Care Alliance, in partnership with a number of sector organisations including Iriss, hosted a seminar entitled - A watershed for social work in Scotland? The event brought people together to explore the implications of the Audit Scotland report on social work in Scotland. Michelle from Iriss.fm spoke to a number of people to get their views and reflections. These included Dr John Lincoln, Audit Scotland; Audrey Birt, Alliance Associate Director and Chair of the event; Lynn Williams, a carer; and Sue Lavery, a carer. At the end of the seminar there were a number of short reflections. We heard from Alan Baird, Chief Social Work Advisor for Scotland. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this episode, Michael McEwan speaks to Ian Hood, Co-ordinator at theLearning Disability Alliance Scotland. It's an interesting discussion which gives an overview of what the organisation does, and touches on number of topics including care charges, hate crime and self-directed support. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

On 15 November 2016, Danielle Farrel, spoke to Iriss.fm about her PhD research, which examined the 2012 child abuse scandals in the UK. The research focused on the multifunctional nature of online discourse surrounding the issue. In this interview, she provides an overview of the main findings and recommendations. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this episode Michael McEwan speaks to Brian Scott, Development Manager at the Glasgow Disability Alliance about the work that it does. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In 2012, Iriss undertook a project focused on understanding how an assets based approach could improve mental health and well-being within East Dunbartonshire, focusing specifically on Kirkintilloch. East Dunbartonshire Association of Mental Health is now in the process of integrating Personal Asset Mapping (PAM) into WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning). Iriss caught up with the team in East Dunbartonshire to discuss how the idea came about to integrate personal asset mapping into WRAP?; what has happened; the feedback; learning; outcomes; and next steps. The discussion includes representatives from the Scottish Recovery Network and East Dunbartonshire Association for Mental Health. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

On 24 October 2016 at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Dr Robert French led an Iriss workshop exploring how to negotiate a way through the complexities of our managed world, in order to do some of the worthwhile things we feel passionate about. In this talk he includes examples from his own experience of the school education system in England, the poet John Keats and the text 'Symposium' by the Classical Greek philosopher, Plato. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this episode, Michael McEwan speaks to Keith Etherington, Director of In Control Scotland about the services the organisation provides. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Professor Helen Minnis of the University of Glasgow, talks to David Woodier, a teacher, adoptive parent and blogger for Scottish Attachment in Action, about 'Why attachment matters'. Themes emerging from the interview may well resonate with those living and working with children and young people who've had an adverse start in life. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

George Thomson, Chief Executive of Volunteer Scotland shares his memories of Edgar Cahn, the creator of Time Banking and explores its use as a community development tool. An example includes the walking charity 'Paths for all'. It also includes a brief message from Edgar Cahn himself. Introduced by Donald Macleod, Conference Chair. Recorded at The 10th International Short Break Association conference, 13–15 September 2016, Edinburgh, Scotland. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this episode, Michael McEwan speaks to Gordon Dougall, Artistic Director of Limelight Music. Limelight is a Scottish Equalities professional music training and production company that delivers high-quality inclusive music projects across Scotland and Europe. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Jamie Andrew, mountaineer, adventurer and author tells his personal story of surviving an avalanche on the Les Droites mountain in the French Alps. He speaks about dealing with the life-changing challenges that followed and reaching his goals. Introduced by Donald Macleod, Conference Chair. Recorded at the 10th International Short Break Association conference, 13–15 September 2016, Edinburgh, Scotland. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Roy McConkey OBE, Emeritus Professor, Ulster University in Ireland asks a number of questions: Do we keep evolving or is a revolution needed? Have professionals created a world that suits themselves but not the service users? How do we reduce duplication and move away from a risk-averse model of provision which limits trying new things? Rationing of services may give the appearance of a services but are people's needs being met? Are existing service frameworks fit for purpose? Do we need staff with skills beyond health?Introduced by Donald Macleod, Conference Chair. Recorded at The 10th International Short Break Association conference, 13–15 September 2016, Edinburgh, Scotland. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

The Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme was created in 2013, and builds on lessons learned from other countries relating to self-directed support and personalisation. It hopes to enable social and economic participation as citizens for people with disabilities with a full roll-out by 2020. Maureen Flynn, National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition Project Officer and Support Coordinator at Interchange Illawarra Inc, in New South Wales, Australia, speaks about the scheme and some of the issues involved. Introduced by Donald Macleod, Conference Chair. Recorded at the 10th International Short Break Association conference, 13–15 September 2016, Edinburgh, Scotland. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free