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Changing the face of challenging behaviour services: the Special Projects Team
- Authors:
- ALLEN David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 34(4), December 2006, pp.237-242.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The background to a unique initiative for people with challenging behaviour in Wales is described. The Special Projects Team (SPT) was established in the context of increasing knowledge of effective treatment responses, but lack of widespread expertise as well as growing crisis within challenging behaviour services. Unlike previous innovative approaches, the SPT is designed to focus on the development of new services and demonstration projects as well enhancing local knowledge through training and research, and encouraging collaborative developments by working with partners across agencies and across all sectors. The vision of the ideal multi-component, comprehensive, tiered system of support services is outlined, as are the project brief and principal objectives. Key activities in the initial years have encompassed resettlement, a major epidemiological and service mapping study, the development of the first of a series of accredited training courses, research reviews, and the establishment of formal links with other organizations, including the formation of the Unit for Development in Intellectual Disabilities. Aims for the next phases of the Team are highlighted.
Understanding and treating offenders with learning disabilities: a review of recent developments
- Authors:
- TAYLOR John L., LINDSAY William R.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 1(1), April 2010, pp.5-16.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This narrative review first presents and discusses recent developments relating to offenders with learning disabilities, looks at the historical association between crime and low intelligence, and then investigates the evidence concerning the prevalence of offending by people with learning disabilities, and their recidivism rates. The authors summarise research concerning service pathways for this population, and outline progress in the development of actuarial, dynamic and clinical assessments of the future risk of offending. Secondly, the paper focuses on a review of the evidence for, and recent developments in, the treatment of offending behaviour (anger and aggression, sexual offending and fire-setting), utilising broadly cognitive behaviourally-based approaches. Finally, the authors propose future directions for research and practice innovation.
Reflections on the periodic service review as a practice leadership tool in services for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour
- Authors:
- BAKER Peter, SHEPHARD John
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 15(3), July 2010, pp.29-32.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article comments on the article in this issue from Kathy Lowe presenting an evaluation of periodic service review (PSR), a practice-based managerial tool specifically devised for use in intellectual disability services. Lowe’s research demonstrates encouraging findings, with evidence of service improvement and mainly positive feedback from those involved in the process. The specialist challenging behaviour support service by Sussex Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust has been using PSR to monitor and improve service delivery since October 1995. This paper draws on this experience to reflect on the questions of whether the PSR works, in what circumstances and why. It concludes that the specific elements of the PSR that lead to its acceptance by staff include a reliance on positive feedback only, actively involving staff in developing standards in the process itself and in deciding what needs to be addressed to improve quality, and a focus on team performance rather than the performance of individual team members.
The evaluation of periodic service review (PSR) as a practice leadership tool in services for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour
- Author:
- LOWE Kathy
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 15(3), July 2010, pp.17-28.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The performance of front-line managers is a crucial factor in determined whether service use outcomes are achieved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the managerial approach known as periodic service review (PSR) in specialist services for people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour, and investigate its perceived usefulness as a practice leadership tool. A system of PSR was implemented in specialist health services in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board in South Wales for people with challenging behaviour, to support the adoption of a positive behavioural approach. The extent and accuracy of PSR implementation, its impact on staff knowledge and attitudes, and its value as a practice leadership tool were assessed. The results indicated that PSR was implemented regularly, scoring was based accurately on tangible evidence, and increased scores over time indicated service improvement in line with PSR principles. Staff generally welcomed PSR as a quality monitoring tool, and greater knowledge of the rationale and process for PSR was associated with more positive attitudes. Managers regarded PSR as a valuable aid to practice leadership and had used innovative implementation methods to maximise its acceptance by staff teams. The style of management and need for support from the wider organisational structure are discussed as critical factors in successful implementation.