Community-based Residential Services Research Articles

Deinstitutionalization in the UK and Ireland: Outcomes for service users

The UK research literature on the effects of deinstitutionalization, published between 1980 and 1994, was reviewed. The results from 71 publications arising from 46 studies indicated that smaller, community-based residential services were generally, though not inevitably, associated with: (1) increased user engagement in ongoing activities; (2) increased contact from care staff; (3) increased use of community facilities; (4) increases in adaptive behaviours; (5) reductions in observed challenging behaviour; (6) increased opportunities for choice; (7) increased contact with family and friends; (8) a better material standard of living; and (9) increased acceptance by the community. No differences were found with regard to reported challenging behaviour. In addition to these differences between institutions and community-based residential services, there were also large differences in service quality within community-based residential services, with some community-based services providing a quality of life s...

Small Staffed Houses for People with a Severe Learning Disability and Challenging Behaviour

SUMMARY This study reports a longitudinal evaluation of the effectiveness of community-based residential services, individually designed for people who, in addition to their severe or profound learning disability, have very serious challenging behaviour. Observations were made over three years, tracking individuals in both pre- and post-move settings. Overall, the results suggest that even for this client group (who are traditionally the most difficult to place) small staffed homes can provide improved client experience as measured by engagement in meaningful activity; but that to do so requires attention to the quality of staff performance as well as to basic material and social resources.

Future directions in deinstitutionalization and education: a Delphi investigation.

A Delphi survey procedure was used to forecast future events and set goals relative to deinstitutionalization and educational services for handicapped children and youth. Thirty-three persons of varying organizational affiliations, occupations, and geographical locations participated in two rounds of mail surveys. Questionnaires presented forecasts for deinstitutionalization and residential services spanning the entire life cycle and educational services directed more at children and youth below 25 years of age. Among some of the major trends predicted were that the deinstitutionalization movement would not lose momentum and that community-based residential services would increasingly become available to all persons with handicaps. Panelists anticipated that children and youth with handicaps would be educated more in natural environments and situations, but did not foresee a wholesale movement of mildly handicapped students or special education teachers into regular classroom settings in the near future.

Problems and Issues in Community-Based Residential Services as Alternatives to Institutionalization

Problems and Issues in Community-Based Residential Services as Alternatives to Institutionalization