Staff Characteristics, Working Conditions and Outcomes Amongst Staff in Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

A survey of 512 staff working in UK services for people with intellectual disabilities was conducted. Descriptive findings regarding staff characteristics, working conditions and a range of staff outcomes are reported. The majority of staff were in their thirties, female, and married or living as married, and almost half of staff had dependants. Almost all the staff in this survey were white. On average, staff had spent approximately eight and a half years working in services for people with intellectual disabilities, and approximately three and a half years working in their current work location. Approximately one‐sixth of staff were working on a fixed‐term contract. Almost two‐thirds of staff were contracted to work full‐time, although nearly two‐fifths of staff reported working longer than their contracted hours.Regarding staff outcomes, almost one‐third of staff reported high levels of distress indicative of mental health problems, a proportion similar to that found in previous UK research but a higher proportion than NHS staff, employed adults or adults generally. This higher distress was reflected in poorer self‐reported health, greater self‐reported stress or pressure, and greater cigarette consumption compared to English adults generally. Just over half the staff had taken sick leave in the past six months, and approximately one‐eighth of staff had applied for another job in the past three months. The implications for services of the findings are briefly discussed.