WHAT IS QUALITY OF LIFE(QoL) and Why take a QoL
APPRoach ?
“Quality of Life” (QoL) is very personal to each of us and changes all time depending on where we are, what we are doing and who we are with, which is why we say it is ‘dynamic’. However, we still need to be able to define it if we want to be able to talk about it and show that we are helping to improve the QoL of our students and families.
How to develop and implement A QOL APPROACH?
The QoL framework has been designed on a number of research principals and can be adapted to work in any environment. At it’s heart it is about hearing student and family voice on the issues of importance to them so that we can work collaboratively to help improve QoL now and for the future.
WHAT IS THE QOL NETWORK?
The QoL network is a community of practitioners from schools, colleges and organisations taking a QoL approach and sharing best practice to support each other on their QoL journeys.
Who is the QoL network for?
Welcome to the QoL network website where you can find out more about taking a QoL approach…
The QoL network is led by Swalcliffe Park School and we welcome new members throughout the year. We want to hear from schools, colleges, children’s homes and support services……..in fact anyone who wants to improve QoL outcomes for their students and families.
We very much look forward to hearing from you so please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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Taking a QoL approach can help you focus everything you do on improving the lives of your students and their families.
A QUALITY OF LIFE APPROACH FOR STUDENTS
We all want our students to be happy, healthy and empowered young people so it is important listen to what they have to say so they can be supported to become who they want to be and achieve their ambitions.
If we take Emily Gardiner’s (University of British Columbia) research on ‘Family Systems’ into account we know it important to work closely with families and ask them about the impact of autism on family life, and how Family QoL can be improved.
Working collaboratively with students and families leads to improvemetn in QoL for all.
A QUALITY OF LIFE APPROACH FOR FAMILIES
Regular communication with Families is an essential ingredient in taking a QoL approach. This can be done in a number of ways depending on circumstances and context. The important thing is to ensure that those who are working directly with Families are aware of the issues of importance to them.