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The influence of staff training on challenging behaviour in individuals with intellectual disability: a review
- Authors:
- COX Alison D., DUBE Charmayne, TEMPLE Beverley
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 19(1), 2015, pp.69-82.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Many individuals with intellectual disability engage in challenging behaviour. This can significantly limit quality of life and also negatively impact caregivers (e.g., direct care staff, family caregivers and teachers). Fortunately, efficacious staff training may alleviate some negative side effects of client challenging behaviour. Currently, a systematic review of studies evaluating whether staff training influences client challenging behaviour has not been conducted. The purpose of this article was to identify emerging patterns, knowledge gaps and make recommendations for future research on this topic. The literature search resulted in a total of 19 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Articles were separated into four staff training categories. Studies varied across sample size, support staff involved in training, study design, training duration and data collection strategy. A small sample size (n = 19) and few replication studies, alongside several other procedural limitations prohibited the identification of a best practice training approach. (Publisher abstract)
First steps toward positive behavior support in the Netherlands: a pilot study exploring the effectiveness of a training for staff
- Authors:
- KLAVER Marian, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 17(3), 2020, pp.188-194.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Despite the effectiveness of positive behavior support (PBS) in reducing challenging behaviors, the availability of PBS for individuals with intellectual disabilities is limited in many countries including the Netherlands. Training care staff supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities in PBS may be a way to improve the provision of PBS. The researchers aimed to explore the preliminary effectiveness of a PBS training for staff in reducing challenging behaviors of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Using a one group, double pretest–posttest design, 24 staff members involved in the care of 11 adult individuals with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviors participated. The researchers assessed changes in challenging behaviors and quality of life of the individuals, in staff self‐efficacy in dealing with challenging behaviors, and in the use of restraints, using staff rated questionnaires, structured interviews, and medical files. At posttest, the researchers found significant reductions in challenging behaviors, improved quality of life, and increased staff self‐efficacy, but no changes in the use of restraints. In contrast, no significant changes on any of the measures appeared between the two pretests. These findings suggest that a staff training in PBS may be effective for reducing challenging behaviors in individuals with intellectual disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
A 10-year plan for quality living for people with disabilities and their carers
- Authors:
- CRAIG Jocelyn E., CARTWRIGHT Collen
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(4), 2015, pp.302-309.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The concerns of older carers of an adult with disabilities have been well documented. The sudden incapacity or death of the carer can result in a crisis response rather than a planned transition to a chosen sustainable alternative care arrangement for the person with disability. Building on previous ‘Futures Planning’ projects, the aim of this project was to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and their carers whilst ensuring that their wishes for the future are documented to provide security. Materials and Methods: This article reports on information sessions and workshops that were held for people with disabilities, their carers and staff, and the training sessions for staff for this project. Results: The sessions underlined the fact that people with disabilities want to enjoy the same experiences that most other people enjoy. Drawing on the ideas and suggestions from participants, the ‘Futures Planning’ documents were modified to meet the aims of the Quality Living project, making them suitable for planning for quality living for the carer and the person with a disability for the next 10 years. Conclusions: Findings supported the concept that planning allows people with disabilities and their carers to take steps to achieve their dreams. (Publisher abstract)
A commentary on the quality agenda: the contribution of person-centred action
- Authors:
- LOWE Kathy, JONES Edwin
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 11(3), July 2006, pp.37-42.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This commentary reviews the four main features of this issue of Learning Disability Review. It considers in particular the current practical and conceptual issues around person-centred approaches and in particular active action.
Factors that predict good Active Support in services for people with intellectual disabilities: a multilevel model
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(3), 2020, pp.334-344.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Active Support, now widely adopted by disability support organizations, is difficult to implement. The study aim was to identify the factors associated with good Active Support. Methods: Data on service user and staff characteristics, quality of Active Support and practice leadership were collected from a sample of services from 14 organizations annually for between 2 and 7 years, using questionnaires, structured observations and interviews. Data were analysed using multilevel modelling (MLM). Results: Predictors of good Active Support were adaptive behaviour, practice leadership, Active Support training, and time since its implementation. Heterogeneity, having more than six people in a service and larger organizations were associated with lower quality of Active Support. Conclusions: In order to ensure that Active Support is consistently implemented, and thus, quality of life outcomes improved, organizations need to pay attention to both service design and support for staff through training and practice leadership. (Publisher abstract)
An evaluation of staff training in positive behavioural support
- Authors:
- MacDONALD Anne, McGILL Peter, MURPHY Glynis
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(6), 2018, pp.1046-1061.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) has been shown to be effective in minimizing challenging behaviour and improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Training in PBS is an important factor in achieving good coverage in the use of PBS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of training managers of social care services in PBS. Method: A year‐long training programme in PBS was delivered to 50 managers of community‐based services for people with challenging behaviour. Data were collected pre‐ and post‐training, and at six month follow‐up. A non‐randomized control group design was used. Results: Data demonstrated significant reduction in challenging behaviour. However, there was no change in quality of life for service users. Conclusion: Training in PBS can reduce challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities; demonstrating any impact of PBS training on quality of life remains a challenge. (Publisher abstract)
Psychotropic medications and adults with intellectual disabilities: care staff perspectives
- Author:
- LALOR John
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(6), 2013, pp.333-345.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Adults with intellectual disabilities are the most psychotropically medicated population of all. Non-medically trained care staff with whom these individuals spend the majority of their time are generally poorly trained in issues surrounding psychotropic medication. Much of the research related to the experiences of staff working in intellectual disability services has focused on medically trained professionals, and clients, and has been of a quantitative nature. Very little attention has been paid to care staff, their experiences, and through a qualitative approach. In this study semi-structured interviews were used to explore the experiences of, and impact on, care staff in relation to psychotropic medication usage in adults with intellectual disabilities living in long-term residential care. Eight full-time, experienced care staff from service in Dublin were interviewed and data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The paper demonstrates the concerns for staff, such as the negative impact upon client quality-of-life, the ethical implications of the medications’ regime, and the relationship perceived by care staff with the organisation management; and a significant lack of training. The limited field of previous research demographically comparable to the present paper was analysed for findings. (Edited publisher abstract)
The effect of active support interactive training on the daily lives of adults with an intellectual disability
- Authors:
- TOTSIKA Vasiliki, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23(2), March 2010, pp.112-121.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Interactive training is one of the two staff training components of the active support model, a person-focused model that aims to improve the quality of life of people with an intellectual disability by increasing participation in all types of activities of daily life. This study investigates how effective interactive training is when offered to staff detached from the active support workshops, the other training component. The authors, exploring the effects of interactive training on resident activity engagement, challenging behaviours and staff assistance, engaged 21adults with an intellectual disability living in residential settings. Observations and ratings of staff and resident behaviours were obtained before and after the training sessions, and at 6 months follow-up. Overall analyses indicated a short-lived improvement in quality of staff support but, in general, there was an overall lack of change in staff behaviours or participants challenging behaviours. However, subgroup analyses indicated that there was a significant improvement in engagement immediately after interactive training for a distinct subgroup of participants - those who had significantly higher aggressive behaviour ratings at the beginning of the study. Findings support the combination of the training components for improvements in the quality of life for people with intellectual disability, especially as intervention for people with the most difficult challenging behaviours.
Equipping staff to support people with an intellectual disability and dementia in care home settings
- Authors:
- WILKINSON Heather, KERR Diana, CUNNINGHAM Colm
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 4(3), August 2005, pp.387-400.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The knowledge, experiences and skills of direct care staff working in care home settings are essential in ensuring a good quality of life and care for a person with an intellectual disability (ID) who develops dementia. Drawing on the findings of a wider study, the issues of training, support and the wider needs of staff when trying to support a resident who develops dementia are explored, specifically as relating to the role played by staff and the need to determine their experiences and related training needs. Following an introduction to the policy and practice context for working with people with an ID and dementia, and a brief description of the research method, the authors discuss the attitudes and practices of staff; supportive changes at an organizational level; and the knowledge and training needs of staff and specific gaps in knowledge. The authors argue that, within the policy and practice context of aiming to support residents to ‘age in place’, support for staff is a crucial aspect of ensuring that such an approach is effective and provides a coordinated approach to planning, resourcing and support.
Supported employment for people with learning difficulties: findings
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 1996
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
Supported employment is a service with learning difficulties, which enables them to find and hold down real jobs by providing the support and training they need at work. A two-year study of six supported employment agencies operating in Liverpool.