Staffing and staff performance in services for people with severe or profound learning disability and serious challenging behaviour

Abstract

Eighteen people with severe or profound learning disability and very serious challenging behaviour were tracked for four and a half years. Thirteen subjects moved to staffed houses in the community. A multiple time-series design and direct observation were used to evaluate whether there was any change in staffing and staff contact. The houses had higher staff ratios and proportionately even higher levels of assistance and other contact with clients, who showed significant improvement in engagement in meaningful activity without overall increase in major problem behaviour.

The Kirkpatrick model: A useful tool for evaluating training outcomes

“…The quality of life people with intellectual disability in residential care receive is partly determined by the support they receive from staff (Mansell, 1995). 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).…”

“…Researchers have considered the role and contribution made by paid staff to the quality of lives of individuals in state or voluntary run residential facilities (Doerner, Miltenberger, & Bakken, 1989;Mansell, 1995;Parsons & Reid, 1993;Vollmer, Iwata, Zarcone, Smith, & Mazaleski, 1993). A particular focus of this research has been the interactions that take place between staff and people with intellectual disability.…”

Issues in the definition and implementation of “best practice” for staff delivery of interventions for challenging behaviour

“…Such findings have led to prescriptions calling for more "responsive managers" (Harris & Thomson, 1993) or more "coherent deployment of staff" (Mansell, 1995). The organisationa l behaviour management literature (e.g., Sulzer-Azaroff, Pollack & Fleming, 1992) provides a potential basis for operationalisin g such calls, although Selinske, Greer and Lodhi (1991) is one of few examples of its direct application in settings relevant to this review (although not addressing issues of challenging behaviour).…”

Resident Involvement in Activity in Small Community Homes for People with Learning Disabilities

“…1988), more user‐focused care practices (Felce et al. 1980; Landesman 1987; Mansell 1995) and better outcomes for users in terms of adaptive behaviour (Larson & Lakin 1989; Emerson & Hatton 1996; Young et al. 1998; Kim et al.…”