Active Support Network
The active support network is open to anyone who is supporting individuals with disabilities, especially those with intellectual disabilities. We will use this network to provide members with the opportunity to discuss their experiences of implementing person-centred approaches and with resources which we think might be useful.
Register for and access the discussion forum.
Further resources and useful links:
- "A Valued Life" - Report from United Response
- ARC (Wales) Active Support Project
- Yooralla's Person Centred Approaches Team newsletter "A Good Ordinary Life".
Other resources and references
- The Quality Agenda - A special issue of The Learning Disability Review (Volume 3, Issue 3). Click here for link to Pavilion Publishing Page on the Learning Disability Review.
- "Effect of service structure and organisation on staff care practices in small community homes for people with intellectual disabilities" by Mansell et al. available as early online plublication http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/toc/jar/0/0.
Abstract
Background An important question is what factors influence the extent to which staff provide ‘active support’.
Methods Engagement, care practices and a range of staff and organisational characteristics were studied in 72 residential homes serving 359 adults with intellectual disabilities. Managers in 36 settings were trained in person-centred active support (PCAS). A group comparison design and multivariate analysis was used to investigate the relationship between variables.
Results The PCAS group showed more active support, assistance, other contact from staff and engagement in meaningful activity. The PCAS group had more staff with a professional qualification, attitudes more in line with a policy of community care, rated most care tasks as less difficult, showed more teamwork and were more organised to deliver active support. The comparison group were more satisfied. Multivariate analysis identified a range of staff and organisational variables associated with engagement and active support.
Conclusions The results suggest that some variables which have not hitherto been studied in relation to active support are associated with it. Professional qualification, knowledge and experience appear to be important as do some staff attitudes, clear management guidance, more frequent supervision and team meetings, greater teamwork and support for staff to help residents engage in meaningful activity.
For further information, please email j.d.beadle-brown@kent.ac.uk or phone 01227 827373.