Leadership in intellectual disability practice: design, development, and evaluation of a programme to support practice

Abstract

BackgroundIntellectual disability services have and continue to experience changes in service provision. This has an implication for leadership in practice as the quality of leadership has a direct influence on staff practice and care provided.AimTo design, deliver, and evaluate a leadership programme for nurse and social care managers in Ireland.DesignAn accredited programme was designed based on evidence from literature, practice, and national expertise. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect information on the attitudes and behaviour of participants before commencing and after completing the programme. Data from the questionnaires were analysed using SPSS and open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis.SettingIntellectual disability services.Participants102 participants completed the programme and survey.MethodsPre-post survey and reported using the CROSS guidelines.ResultsParticipants’ expectations were rated highly, and all items scored higher in the post-survey. Qualitative data was overall positive regarding opportunities for more time to work through each aspect of the programme. The key learning was through the forum day where participants shared their group projects.ConclusionsOverall, the programme was positively evaluated and through engaging with the programme participants’ perceptions moved from seeing leadership as mostly task-oriented to realising that qualities such as good communication, person-centredness, advocacy, supporting, role modelling, and empowering are key to leadership.