Managing challenging behaviour in the community: methods and results of interactive staff training

Abstract

A necessary condition for a high quality of community care in relation to challenging behaviour is staff training in appropriate methods. This paper describes the application of a practical 'interactive staff training' approach with n = 101 staff, featuring the use of focused and experiential learning in teams. The findings indicated that the course was socially acceptable to the participants, led to a significant improvement in their knowledge of nonphysical methods, and resulted in written guidelines for managing their own clients' challenging behaviour. Furthermore, agreements were clarified on how these guidelines would be implemented by each team following training. Implications are drawn for improved evaluation of this promising training programme, including developing the measures of learning and adding a generalisation assessment.

The Kirkpatrick model: A useful tool for evaluating training outcomes

“…In recent years, researchers have considered the role of paid care staff in the management of challenging behaviour (see Ager & O'May, 2001, for a review) and have attempted to determine the most effective method of training and supporting carers (both paid and unpaid) (e.g., Chatterton, 1998;Dobson, Upadhyaya, & Stanley, 2002;Gentry, Iceton, & Milne, 2001;Golden & Reese, 1996;Purcell, McConkey, & Morris, 2000).…”

“…Role-playing (i.e., where participants act out the part of the staff member and the client) (Gentry et al, 2001;Schepis, Reid, Ownbey, & Parsons, 2001). .…”

“…The researchers then trained the untrained group and found significant improvements in their confidence following training. Gentry et al (2001) developed a training program based on ''Interactive Staff Training'' (Corrigan & McCracken, 1997), a staff training package for staff working in psychiatric rehabilitation settings. Gentry et al modified the training package and included some additional features based on ''best practice'' principles of training.…”

“…Some researchers demonstrated a significant change in knowledge or skills immediately after the training (Level 2) (e.g., Baker, 1998;Gentry et al, 2001;McDonnell, 1997;McKenzie et al, 2000), but there was little evidence that this increased knowledge impacted on staff behaviour in the workplace or if there was any change in the levels of residents' challenging behaviour.…”

A Communication Training Programme for Residential Staff Working with Adults with Challenging Behaviour: Pilot Data on Intervention Effects

“…However, it is possible that the trained staff were less likely to implement a programme with fewer trained peers in the environment (Golden & Reese 1996; Dunlap et al. 2000; Gentry et al. 2001).…”