Increasing day service staff capacity to facilitate positive relationships with people with severe intellectual disability: Evaluation of a new intervention using multiple baseline design

ABSTRACT

Background The social relationships model was developed to describe positive relationships between support staff and people with intellectual disability. We evaluated an educational intervention based on this model.

Method Eighteen staff supporting 5 adult service users with severe or profound intellectual disability from 3 day services received the intervention. Mixed methods were used. A multiple baseline design determined changes in relationship processes between staff and service users following intervention. Descriptive field notes and staff interviews provided qualitative data.

Results Positive changes in relationship processes were found, but the results were variable. Of note was a high effect for 1 service user, a minimal effect for 2, and no effect for 2 service users. Field notes revealed contributors to variable results, and interview data highlighted changes not captured by quantitative measures.

Conclusions An educational intervention based on the social relationship model shows promise as a means to enhance staff relationships with people with intellectual disability.

KEYWORDS:

• severe intellectual disability
• relationships
• day service
• support staff
• engagement

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank and acknowledge staff who participated in the study from the services involved, and who supported the application for funding and conduct of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Christine Bigby http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7001-8976

Notes

1 All names have been changed to ensure anonymity.

Additional information

Funding

This report is funded with assistance from a funding grant offered under the National Disability Research and Development Agenda, jointly implemented by disability representatives from Commonwealth, state, and territory governments.