OUTCOMES OF ORDINARY HOUSING SERVICES IN WALES: OBJECTIVE INDICATORS

Abstract

Outcome data were collected on fourteen, recently provided staffed houses for people with mild, moderate, severe or profound learning disabilities in order to assess the quality of service provided. Quality indicators reflected the quality of the housing provision, social and community integration, social relationships within the houses, resident engagement in activity, developmental progress over time and opportunities for autonomy and choice. The data show that the quality of the houses investigated was broadly similar to that reported for other housing services in British research which has accompanied deinstitutionalisation. Quality levels on many indicators were related to the ability of residents and the data illustrate the difficulty in providing services for people with more severe or profound learning disabilities, which are capable of achieving outcomes comparable with those attained in services for more able residents. This research provides further evidence that the extent of staff support for resident activity is critical to how much residents are able to participate fully in the everyday activities which arise in the conduct of their lives.