Support and services for individuals with intellectual disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging, and the impact of recent inquiries
| Published date | 07 September 2012 |
| Date | 07 September 2012 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20441281211261113 |
| Pages | 229-235 |
| Author | Vivien Cooper |
| Subject Matter | Education,Health & social care |
Support and services for individuals with
intellectual disabilities whose behaviour is
described as challenging, and the impact of
recent inquiries
Vivien Cooper
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to give an overview of the exposure of abusive practices in services for
people with intellectual disabilities, and the resulting inquiries and reports. It also aims to consider the
common findings and recommendations and what difference they have made to support and services
for people with intellectual disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper briefly reviews the main inquiries, subsequent reports
and the recommendations made. The common themes are discussed and consideredin the light of the
most recent Department of Health Review following the Panorama Undercover Care documentary –
(unpublished at the time of writing).
Findings – The paper highlights the recurrent themes which persist through a series of inquiries and
reports.
Originality/value – The paper suggests what needs to happen to ensure that recommendations
translate into action on the ground, to deliver better outcomes for individuals.
Keywords Intellectual disabilities, Learning disabilities, Disabilities, Challenging behaviour, Support,
Services, Department of Health, Health care
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
People whose behaviour challengeshave the same needs as everyone else, in addition to special
needs for help to overcome the problems their behaviour presents. They do not surrender their
needs for personal relationships, for growth and development or for anything else because their
behaviour presents a challenge to services. They have the same human rights as everyone else
(Mansell 2 (Department of Health (DH), 2007).
There is robust research and evidence-based practice that tells us how to support
individuals with intellectual disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging. There
is also a great deal of evidence that people with these needs have an increasedvulnerability
and likelihood to be subjected to poor practice and abuse. Armed with these two pieces of
information, which have been available to us for a long time, we should be able to design,
develop and deliver good support and services around this vulnerable group of individuals
to enable them to achieve a good quality of life.
However, over the years there have been a number of high-profile scandals that have
revealed shocking abusive practice. As a result, inquiries and reviews have been carried
out, which have looked at why we get it so wrong for some of the most vulnerable individuals
in our society and a number of reports have been written. This commentary will look at some
of these inquiries and reviews, and consider what they found and whether they have made
a difference to the support and services we deliver to individuals with intellectual disabilities
whose behaviour is described as challenging.
DOI 10.1108/20441281211261113 VOL. 6 NO. 5 2012, pp. 229-235, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282
j
ADVANCES IN MENTALHEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
PAGE 229
Vivien Cooper is CEO and
Trustee of The Challenging
Behaviour Foundation,
Chatham, UK.
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