Redesigning a community-based challenging behaviour intensive support service

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Ahead of Print. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss outcomes of a service redesign, involving an Intensive Support Team (IST) for adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, working in conjunction with a Community Learning Disability Service (CLDS). Design/methodology/approach Two IST staff were physically based as “Inreach workers” within a CLDS for six months. Inreach workers provided support with existing resources and consultation for specific clients presenting with challenging behaviour. CLDS staff confidence, understanding and implementation of existing challenging behaviour resources was evaluated before and after service redesign. An online questionnaire was used to gather further data relating to experiences of the Inreach project. Findings CLDS staff confidence, understanding and implementation of existing challenging behaviour resources increased over the six-month inreach period. Quest ionnaire results indicated CLDS staff found Inreach support to be beneficial, having a perceived positive impact for clients, and providing clarity on the skills and resources provided by the IST. Research limitations/implications The long-term effects of this pilot have yet to be established. Con sideration is given to how demand characteristics may have influenced CLDS responses. Practical implications Careful consideration should be given in terms of how ISTs interface with CLDSs. ISTs...
Source: Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities - Category: Disability Source Type: research