A National Survey of Peripatetic Support Services
available to Children and Adults with intellectual
and developmental disability who displays
challenging behaviour
Background
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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
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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
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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:
Email:
sd358@kent.ac.uk
Tel:
01388 424220
Mobile: 07900 827397
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Any Questions ?
References
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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 395-406
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 14-22.