Commentary on “Communication is the key: improving outcomes for people with learning disabilities”

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide a commentary on Lewer and Harding's article about the use of “the open communication tool”(OCT).

Design/methodology/approach – This article reviews the OCT as a method of both developing shared goals and understandings and identifying implementation issues.

Findings – The OCT can provide a useful model when working in services. It might be enhanced by also including ways of systematically addressing the views of the person with a learning disability and their family members.

Originality/value – Indirect interventions delivered in the way described may be problematic in that some research suggests that staff teams place greater value on knowledge that is directly gained by experience of working with the person. This raises questions relating to the model within which clinical services are often delivered to supported housing settings and whether this needs to change