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Practice leadership and active support in residential services for people with intellectual disabilities: an exploratory study

Beadle-Brown, Julie, Mansell, J, Ashman, B, Ockenden, J, Iles, R, Whelton, Beckie (2014) Practice leadership and active support in residential services for people with intellectual disabilities: an exploratory study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 58 (9). pp. 838-850. ISSN 0964-2633. E-ISSN 1365-2788. (doi:10.1111/jir.12099) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:41897)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jir.12099

Abstract

Background: We hypothesised that a key factor determining the quality of active support was 'practice leadership' - provided by the first-line manager to focus staff attention and develop staff skills in providing direct support to enable people with intellectual disabilities to have a good quality of life. This exploratory study focused on what levels of practice leadership were found and its role in explaining variation in active support.

Method: Relevant aspects of management, including practice leadership, were assessed by questionnaires administered to staff in residential settings alongside observational measures of active support and resident engagement in meaningful activity. Relationships between these variables were explored using regression and post hoc group comparisons.

Results: There was wide variation, with average levels of practice leadership being low, though improving over the period studied. Practice leadership had a significant impact on active support, but was fully mediated by the effect of quality of management. When the quality of management was higher better practice leadership did produce a significant difference in active support. However, higher quality of management on its own did not produce better active support.

Conclusions: A number of limitations are acknowledged and further research is required. Practice leadership appears to be an important factor in enabling staff to provide active support but as part of generally good management. Given the rather low levels found, attention needs to be given to the training, career development and support of practice leaders and also to how to protect their time from their many other responsibilities.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/jir.12099
Uncontrolled keywords: active support; engagement; implementation; management; practice leadership
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Beckie Whelton
Date Deposited: 19 Jul 2014 14:06 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 10:57 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/41897 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Beadle-Brown, Julie.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2306-8801
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Whelton, Beckie.

Creator's ORCID:
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