Changes in the Quality of Life of People with Learning Disabilities Six Months after Transfer from Long‐Stay Hospital into the Community

Abstract

This paper outlines the significant interim findings of a three‐year longitudinal study of the effects of resettlement on people with learning disabilities. Positive changes are seen in engagements and management practice, negative changes in rates of challenging behaviour, depression and autism and a mixed picture in health, skills, leisure, quality of home life and staffing. Overall, trends are generally positive, particularly in areas related to environmental factors, and it is hoped that the findings will suggest pointers to monitoring quality in community integration, of use to commissioners and providers alike.