Beth Tarleton

Qualifications

Role

Senior Research Fellow

Contact details

Direct line: 0117 3310976

Email: beth.tarleton@bristol.ac.uk

Biography

Beth joined the Centre in 1998, is a qualified primary school teacher and has been involved in supporting adults with learning disabilities for many years. Beth has undertaken research in a wide range of topic areas including transition, short breaks (respite care), easy information and supported housing.

Research interests

Beth’s interests include inclusive research and the development of accessible information.   Beth co-ordinates the Working Together with Parents Network which aims to improve policy and practice in supporting parents with learning difficulties (www.right-support.org.uk) and has undertaken research in this area.

Current research projects

Working Together with Parents Network – This is a free network for professionals working with parents with learning disabilities and their children.

An evaluation of a specialist service supporting parents with learning difficulties.

Transition Journeys – A research project about the process of transition for young people with special needs in one Local Authority

Recent projects

Finding the right help - Guidance for the development of materials and activities to promote positive parenting and safeguarding by parents with learning difficulties

‘Listen to what I want’ - The impact of the MCA on major life decisions by people with learning disabilities

Plain Facts – a magazine for people with learning disabilities about the findings from research of relevance to them

Publications

Working Together with Parents Network (2009) ‘Supporting parents with learning disabilities and difficulties – Stories of positive practice’.  Bristol: Norah Fry Research Centre

Tarleton, B. (2010) ‘Turning Policy into Practice’  in "Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and their Children: Living and Learning in the Community" pages 155-169 in  Gwynnyth Llewewllyn, Rannveig Traustadottir, David McConnell and Hanna Björg Sigurnonsdottir  (Eds) Oxford: John Wiley

Ward, L and Tarleton, B. (2010) ‘Advocacy for change: ‘the final tool in the toolbox’ pages 225-240 in "Parents with Intellectual Disabilities and their Children: Living and Learning in the Community" in  Gwynnyth Llewewllyn, Rannveig Traustadottir, David McConnell and Hanna Björg Sigurnonsdottir  (Eds) Oxford: John Wiley 

Tarleton, B.(2009)  ‘Parenting with support’: Supporting parents with learning difficulties to be the good enough parents pages 173-184  In ‘Keeping Baby in Mind’ P. O. Svanberg and J. Barlow (Eds).  London:  Routledge Press

Tarleton, B. (2008)  Specialist Advocacy services parents with learning disabilities involved in child protection. British Journal of Learning Difficulties

Jill Porter, Jan Georgeson, Harry Daniels, Jayne Hacker, Vicki Gallop Anthony Feiler, Beth Tarleton, Debby Watson,  (2008) Disability Data Collection for Children’s Services,University of Bath

Tarleton, B & Ward, L.. (2007) “Parenting with support”: The views and experiences of parents with intellectual disabilities Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, Volume 4, Number 3, pp194 - 202

Ward, L and Tarleton B (2007) Sinking or Swimming? Supporting Parents with learning Disabilities and their Children.  Learning Disability Review, Vol 12, Issue 2 pp 22- 32.

Watson, D., Feiler A and Tarleton B  (2007) I want to choose to.  A resource for teachers and others for including primary school age children with little or no speech in decision-making.  Bristol:  Norah Fry Research Centre. 

Fyson, R, Tarleton B (30%)  and Ward L (2007) Support for Living?  The impact of the Supporting People programme on housing and support for adults with learning disabilities.  Bristol, Policy Press.

Fyson, R. Tarleton, B. Ward, L. (2007) Supported living through Supporting People: the experiences of people with learning disabilities, Housing Care and Support 2007, VOL 10; NUMB 3, pages 35-40

Tarleton, B, (90%) Ward L and Howarth J (2006) Finding the Right Support? A review of issues and positive practice to support parents with learning difficulties and their children. London, Baring Foundation.

Watson, D Tarleton B (40%)and Feiler A (2007) Participation in Education .  Full report on the involvement of children with little or no verbal communication.  Bristol:  Norah Fry Research Centre. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/norahfry/download/questionnairereport.pdf

Tarleton, B (2006)  Providing the right support?   Evaluating the work of the north east parents support project and the Walsall Parents advocacy services.  Internal report for Mencap.  Bristol: Norah Fry Research Centre.

Tarleton B (2006) Finding the right support.  Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International, Number 53/54 Spring/Summer 2006 pages 8-9.

Ward L and Tarleton B (2006) Show some Support.  Community Care 25-31 May 2006

Tarleton B and Ward L (2005) Changes and Choices; finding out what information young people need at Transition   British Journal of Learning Disabilities Vol 33, no 2, page 70-76

Thurman S, Jones J and Tarleton B Without words – meaningful information for people with high individual communication needs British Journal of Learning Difficulties. 2005. Vol 33, no 2, page 83-89                                                                                        

Levy G and Tarleton B (2005) Seeing for ourselves: producing accessible information for people learning difficulties and visual impairments British Journal of Learning Difficulties. 2005. Vol 33, no 2

Wyre Forest Self Advocacy Production Crew and Tarleton B. Writing  it ourselves British Journal of Learning Difficulties. 2005 Vol 33, no 2 page 65-69

Tarleton,  B (75%) with Kelly, N and Macaulay F (2004)  Thinking it through Pack.  Service provision for children and teenagers with autistic spectrum disorders.  Norah Fry Centre/Shared care Network

Tarleton, B (2004) Developing inclusive provision for learners with autistic spectrum disorders – Final report.  London: LSDA

Tarleton, B (2004) Developing inclusive provision for learners with autistic spectrum disorders - Interim report London: LSDA

Rodgers J,  Townsley R, Folkes L,  Tarleton B (20%), Mears C, Levy  G, Waite L, Namaganda S, Jones J and Thurman  S (2004) Information for All: evidence based guidance on producing accessible information for people with learning disabilities. http://easyinfo.org.uk/dynamic/easyinfo7.jsp (accessed 30th October 2007)

Tarleton, B (2004) The Road Ahead – Information for young people with learning difficulties, their families and supporters at transition’ London: Social Care Institute for Excellence http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/tra (accessed 30th September 2007)

Tarleton B, Williams V, Palmer N and Gramlich S (2004) ‘An Equal Relationship’?: people with learning difficulties getting involved in research  page  73 –88 in Researchers and their ‘Subjects’  Marie Smyth and Emma Williamson (Ed) Bristol, Policy Press

Teaching

Beth is unit tutor for the Citizenship and Participation Unit on the Inclusive Theory and Practice – Empowering people with learning disabilities MSc Level course.  She is currently supervising dissertations for MSc and DEd Psychology students.