A National Survey of Peripatetic Support Services available to Children and Adults with intellectual and developmental disability who displays challenging behaviour

Background In the mid 1980’s following the closure of long stay institutions, pioneering community services focusing specifically on meeting the behavioural needs of complex individuals were developed using a ‘peripatetic support model’. Emerson et al. (1999). Peripatetic support teams aim to be both specialist and additional to all other service provision Toogood. (2000). These teams were established with staff trained in behavioural assessment and intervention techniques. Services they have offered included functional assessment, development of interventions, role modelling of approaches and staff training Emerson et al. (1999).

Purpose of Project Emerson et al. (1996) In a National study identified 65 services within the United Kingdom. Research suggests services utilising a peripatetic model is effective in reducing challenging behaviour and improving quality life for service users Lowe et al. (1996) However research is limited and highlights a lack of recent studies in the field. The study will allow us to draw any comparisons with the previous study and identify how services currently operate in day to day practice and who they provide services for. What the levels of perceived performance are and what, if any, barriers are experienced in the pursuit of delivering the services that they provide

The Study The aim is to contact the manager or lead clinician of every peripatetic support service in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland offering them the opportunity to complete the questionnaire. The survey will be available through an online survey provider. It is proposed that the survey questionnaire will comprise of both open and closed questions, and is expected to take no longer than 60 minutes to complete. The questions included in the study will relate to: Service aims & Ideologies, rates of referral and caseload levels, team structures, staffing levels, staff professional backgrounds & relevant training, length of time spent on caseload, did they achieve positive outcomes, rates of discharge and re referral and service user characteristics.

How you can help We are hoping to make the survey available in October 2011 If you know of any teams who may be suitable to take part or can suggest areas of the country to explore further please contact me on: Tel: Mobile:

Any Questions ?

References Emerson E.; Forrest J.; Cambridge P.; Mansell J. (1996) Community support teams for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours: results of a national survey. Journal of Mental Health, Vol. 5, No. 4, Pages Emerson, E., McGill, P. and Mansell, J. (1999) Severe Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviours: Designing High Quality Services. London: Chapman and Hall. Lowe, K., Felce, D. and Blackman, D. (1996), Challenging behaviour: the effectiveness of specialist support teams. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 40: 336–347. Toogood,T. (2000). Ten Years of Providing Intensive Support Services for People with Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour: A Brief Service Description and Review. Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 5, No.3, Pages