CENTRE FOR SYSTEMIC STUDIES
SHIELDS
Learning Disability Systems are those constellations and networks, made up of the connections of people and ideas which gather around any person or family living with learning disabilities. These systems therefore include families, friendship groups, and the often myriad of professional practitioners, from a variety of support agencies, and includes, importantly, all of the ideas each brings with them. We allies, often share responsibilities to serve the person and their family in somehow ‘levelling up’ the potential opportunities and resources, in order to reduce the inequality those living with Learning Disabilities endure.
SHIELDS tries to support anyone who is active in those systems, by recognising the complexity of the issues facing them; witnessing to their efforts to improve the quality of life in those systems, and offering a community of practice where resource of ideas and learning can be shared. The community recognises that a more ‘systemic’ and relational approach to working in these systems tends to minimise the risks of furthering abusive practices; pathologizing disability, or patronising carers. Instead we believe systemic approaches promote better relationships and collaborative practices, human rights, and achievement of greater potential by all.
There are many people who have been part of the development of the community and who join the regular workshop events. These events are co-ordinated by Victoria Jones and Kieran Vivian-Byrne.
VICTORIA JONES
Victoria Jones started training at the Family Institute over a decade ago and completed her accredited Systemic Supervisor training with them in 2017. She is a founder member of the SHIELDS community of practice. SHIELDS came about through a collaboration between the Family Institute and the Unit for Development in Intellectual Disability a research unit at the University of South Wales where Victoria was a member of the team.
Victoria’s systemic practice has been varied working in health and third sector contexts and incorporating a wide range of services including with people with learning disabilities and their families, specialist and generic CAMHS, survivors of sexual trauma, and people whose lives have been touched by cancer. She was also employed in the award-winning Child and Family Community Psychology team in Aneurin Bevan Health Board and this experience continues to shape her approach to our wellbeing and the significance of ‘mental health’ occurring in contexts.
Victoria has presented her systemic ideas at AFT national conferences, regional AFT groups, and commissioned training events. With Mark Haydon-Laurelut she is a co-editor of Working with People with Learning Disabilities Systemic Approaches (2019).
KIERAN VIVIAN-BYRNE
Kieran Vivian-Byrne is a Systemic Psychotherapist who has worked at the Family Institute since 2004 and is committed to working creatively to promote and support families and communities through systemically oriented practice. He is currently an independent psychotherapist and consultant and is a Director at The Centre for Systemic Studies.