Implementation of active support over time in Australia

Abstract

Background: Research indicates the value of active support in achieving good outcomes across a number of quality of life domains for people with intellectual disabilities. However, implementation is not easy, and little research has explored why. We aimed to identify some of the factors that impact on implementation of active support in supported accommodation services. Methods: Data on the quality of active support, staff training and practice leadership were collected through staff questionnaires, observations and manager interviews, for between two and four years across six organisations. Results: Active support improved over time for more able people with intellectual disability, but not for people with higher support needs. There was a weak positive correlation between active support and (1) practice leadership scores, and (2) the percentage of staff reporting active support training. Conclusions: It is important to recognise the influence of practice leadership and staff training on the quality of support and ensure provision for these in funding schemes.

Dimensions of group home culture as predictors of quality of life outcomes

“…Although research into deinstitutionalization has shown that QOL outcomes are generally better for people with intellectual disabilities living in group homes than in institutions, variability across individuals has also been found (Emerson & Hatton, 1996; Kozma et al., 2009). Similar variability has been found in studies focused on group homes only (Bigby, Bould, & Beadle‐Brown, 2019; Perry & Felce, 2003). This variability indicates that there are people with intellectual disabilities who experience poor QOL and across group homes there can be considerable differences in service quality.…”

“…Participants were a sub‐sample from a larger longitudinal study (see Bigby et al, 2019) into the implementation and maintenance of Active Support in supported accommodation services in non‐government organizations operating across Australia. Five organizations from the longitudinal study participated in the current study.…”

Effectiveness of Active Support for adults with intellectual disability in residential settings: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…It should be mentioned that an available randomized controlled evaluation was identified through the search but it could not be considered for inclusion as the authors were still in the process of finalizing their report. As our searches were undertaken, new evidence will soon be published, or has recently been published (for example, Bigby, Bould & Beadle‐Brown, ); an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis should therefore be undertaken when the literature has developed even further.…”

An exploration of communication within active support for adults with high and low support needs

“…In this study, we explored the potential role of communication in active support for service users with high and low support needs using data from a current Australian longitudinal study, first reported by Mansell et al () and more recently by (Bigby, Bould, & Beadle‐Brown, ; Bould, Beadle‐Brown, Bigby, & Iacono, , b). We addressed the research question: Are there relationships between measures of service user engagement and contact from staff, quality of active support, and staff provision of appropriate and effective communication support.…”