Residential supports for people with intellectual disabilities: Questions and challenges from the UK

Abstract

This paper uses recent developments in services in the UK as a case study to identify some of the challenges facing the provision of residential supports to people with intellectual disabilities. Three main areas are discussed: (1) responding to existing levels of unmet need and increasing levels of demand; (2) reducing inequalities in access to and the quality of services; and (3) obtaining and demonstrating “best value”. In particular, discussion is focused on the relationships between needs, resources, process and outcomes in residential services for people with intellectual disabilities and the implications of these relationships for obtaining “best value”.