Implementation and evaluation of active support

Objectives: Active support was implemented in three community houses (active support houses), with 11 service users with severe learning disabilities.

Methods: This was evaluated with reference to changes in levels of engagement, challenging behaviour (major and minor) and staff contact, measured against three comparison services (non-active support houses).

Results: All measures increased for the active support houses. Significant increases in activity levels were found in one house. Statistically significant increases in activity and minor challenging behaviour were also found when all active support houses were compared with all non-active support houses. In the non-active support houses, all measures decreased, with the exception of mean level of staff contact in one house.

Conclusions: Unlike previous research findings, those service users who were less able did not receive comparatively more support from staff post-training and changes appeared unrelated to staff contact.