Exploring how support workers understand their role in supporting adults with intellectual disabilities to access the internet for intimate relationships

Background
Some adults with intellectual disabilities need support to access the internet. This study explores how support workers understand their role in facilitating internet access for intimate relationships.
Method
Eight support workers in the West Midlands of the UK were interviewed face-to-face, using semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.
Results
Three main themes emerged; social and organisational dilemmas (including subthemes of; role and moral positioning, expectations of support, and protected and reflective space), power and position and policy dilemmas.
Conclusion
Support workers said that adults with intellectual disabilities should have access to the internet for intimate relationships. There was a range of views on whether it was their job to support this. A lack of training in internet use was highlighted.