Involving Adults with IDD - Development of materials and measures
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Involving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who display behaviours that challenge in decisions relating to their support: Development of materials and measures
IRAS ID
294606
Contact name
Jill Bradshaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Choice over day-to-day life, including over care and support and how it is provided, is fundamental to achieving the well-being of individuals, which is itself a general duty of a local authority. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) typically experience low levels of choice and control and this is particularly true for those with more severe disabilities, more severe communication challenges and those who show behaviours considered as challenging. Current methods for involvement are typically focused around those people who are more able and who use conventional means of communication.
Behaviours considered as challenging are functional in that they are a way in which individuals may access an unmet need. Whilst the behaviour may be unwanted, the need is seen as being reasonable. Improving the environment and the quality of life of individuals is considered a key intervention in reducing such behaviour and is central to Positive Behaviour Support. This project aims to strengthen social care by better understanding how to access and respond to the views, will and preferences of people with IDD, with a particular focus on ensuring people’s involvement in the development of behaviour support plans.
The first stage of this research involves the development of a toolkit for promoting communication and decision making which will later be piloted in services and evaluated. In order to develop the toolkit we will:
• Work with 6 people with IDD and a range of communication skills (and their staff) to test out key techniques related to communication and decision making in the context of assessing behaviour and developing a behaviour support plan.
• Work with a co-production group of family cares, staff and other stakeholders to produce the tools and measures and to produce the toolkit ready for piloting.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/HRA/0708
Date of REC Opinion
8 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion