Whether they are conscious of it or not, professionals working with people with learning disabilities play a central part in the personal relationship need of that person. The professional inevitably gets drawn into a form of intimacy, in physical caring, in emotional responsiveness, in social activities and networks which have no obvious parallel. Practice Issues in Sexuality and Learning Disabilities explores the effect that this intimacy may have on the sexual behaviour of people with learning difficulties and addresses issues of concern such as sexual abuse, HIV and AIDS, service provision for those from ethnic minorities, the development of policy guidelines and the implementation of such guidlines in the intensely personal area of sexuality. Ann Craft draws upon professional expertise from a broad range of backgrounds - from social work, education, psychology, and psychotherapy to medicine. She offers practical ideas and suggestions for service responses which acknowledge and respect the right of people with learning disabilities to express their sexuality in ways that are valued by other members of their society. Practice Issues in Sexuality and Learning Disabilities will be of interest to all whose work or relationship brings them into contact with people with learning difficulties - professionals, carers, parents, advocates. It will be invaluable to social workers, practitioners in social work and health, trainees, training officers and voluntary organizations