A Study of Residents Understanding of the Underlying Principles Informing the National Standards for Residential Intellectual Disability Services

Background: Current inspection of adult intellectual disability residential services arose from the introduction of the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities (2013). No current... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Current inspection of adult intellectual disability residential services arose from the introduction of the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities (2013). No current research determines the level of understanding of the underlying principles underpinning these standards by the people who are most affected by them, the residents within the service.

Aim and objectives of the study:
To provide an analysis of the level of understanding of residents within the HSE DNE residential Intellectual disability services of the underlying principles of the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities (2013) in order to determine potential areas for service provision development.

Method:
A Heideggerian phenomenology approach was utilised to guide semi structured interviews with forty six persons with an Intellectual Disability resident in eleven HSE community group homes. Content analysis was employed to analyse data. Ethical approval was obtained from both the HSE Regional Ethics Committee and Dundalk Institute of Technology Ethics Committee prior to study commencement.

Findings:
There was a high level of understanding of the underlying principles expressed by the participants, with the majority reporting high levels of positive experiences of the impact of the principles on their day to day life. High levels of autonomy were reported with individualised active supports that promote self-governance, personal choice, positive physical and mental health, meaningful activation, and personal safety.

Conclusions and Implications:
Participants report the significant role residential staff members play in their understanding of the principles that inform the National Standards for residential services. This study identifies three potential areas for development; firstly, the necessity for development of eclectic social networks with residents, secondly the need for staff to focus on the development of intrinsic motivation for community living within residents and thirdly, there is a need for a review of the cultural and organisational changes required to design, monitor and evaluate service provision on an individual basis to help people achieve their particular goals.