ABSTRACT

This unique resource book explores what wellbeing, community participation and independence mean to young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). Bringing together results of an extensive survey of more than 100 schools that teach young people with PMLD, the authors present many innovative ways in which schools are working to ensure young people with PMLD have lives of value that are as rich and meaningful as possible.

Organised into three cohesive parts, this book provides a comprehensive insight into established theories and current perspectives on wellbeing and independence for people with PMLD before exploring the results from the Lives Lived Well survey and other international research, and then it helpfully illustrates best practice in action with a close look at an established, very successful specialist school.

This book can be used as a guide, resource and inspiration for adults sharing their lives with young people with PMLD – whether practitioners or parents – and concludes by asking what we can learn from these young people to support us all in living life to the full.

chapter 1|5 pages

Introduction

part |36 pages

Part I

part |88 pages

Part II

chapter 6|26 pages

The Lives Lived Well surveys

Wellbeing

chapter 7|29 pages

The Lives Lived Well surveys

Independence

chapter 8|16 pages

The Lives Lived Well surveys

Wellbeing and independence beyond school

chapter 9|10 pages

The Lives Lived Well surveys

The link between policy and practice

part III|59 pages

Focus on Chailey Heritage School

chapter 10|10 pages

Welcome to Chailey Heritage School!

chapter 13|3 pages

Conclusion