A systemic approach to supporting the families of children with learning disabilities

The family approach to care has a long history in the area of learning disabilities. Learning disability nurses see themselves as a part of an interdisciplinary team supporting families and encouraging them to take the lead whenever possible. Their assessments are based on the client but they attempt to match what families need with existing resources, recognising that, ‘Families offer the emotional security which a constantly changing workforce of professionals cannot offer’ (McConkey 1994).