Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility, and effectiveness, of using Headsprout Early Reading (HER), an online computer program, to teach basic reading skills to adult offenders with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs) in a secure hospital. Design/methodology/approach A single subject pre-post-test design replicated across two participants was used. Two standardized literacy tests were completed at baseline, half way through the intervention, and at the end of the intervention period. A measure of reading self-concept was also completed. An additional component to this research design was the inclusion of two “treatment as usual” (TAU) control participants who did not complete the program. Findings Results are positive in terms of the feasibility of running the program, improved reading skills, and self-concept scores for both “intervention” participants compared to the “TAU” participants. Originality/value HER was originally developed for typically developing children, and has been found to be effective for children with IDs and developmental disabilities. This is the first study to evaluate this program with an adult population.

Purpose Research into culture within intellectual disability services, has predominantly focussed on small group homes in Australia. The current investigation aimed to explore the transferability of the dimensions of culture identified in the literature, to a residential Intellectual Disability service in the UK. The purpose of this study was to better understand the impact of informal culture upon the behaviour of direct care staff, particularly around managing behaviour that challenges. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with direct care staff. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using template analysis. Findings Themes regarding leadership, perceptions of managers, team functioning, and relationships between direct care staff and service users, were identified, corroborating the existing literature. Additional themes relating to being aware of the risks posed by service users, and the emotional impact of behaviour that challenges, also emerged. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative study to explore informal culture within a community residential Intellectual Disability service in the UK.

Background/aims Medium secure units in the UK for adolescents can be stressful and challenging for the staff who work within them. However, only a limited number of research studies regarding the experience of staff have been conducted within these environments. This study sought to explore how staff working in such settings describe their experiences and the overall ‘social climate’. Methods A total of 15 members of staff from one of the six medium secure establishments in the UK were interviewed, using a semi-structured interview guide. This included managers, senior clinicians, nurses and support workers. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three main themes and seven sub-themes were identified. The three main themes were: ‘the “feel” of the ward’, ‘aspects of ward functioning’ and ‘staff dynamics’. Staff had differing perceptions regarding the social climate of the unit. Conclusions There are multiple factors that contribute to perceptions of social climate. Further research is warranted in order to explore this and to identify those aspects that are linked to negative and positive social climates.