Uncovering the staff culture of good quality supported accommodation for people with intellectual disabilities

Introduction

This study builds on earlier work on quality of supported accommodation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is linked with current research in Australia. Despite being recognised as an important factor in the realisation of good outcomes, culture in supported accommodation services has received relatively little research attention.

This study uses an embedded multiple case-study research design to investigate the culture in three supported accommodation settings which have been identified as providing skilled support and achieving good outcomes. “Culture” refers to the pattern of shared basic assumptions held by the staff group, developed as the group solved problems it encountered and then taught to new members as the correct way to think and operate within that setting.

Long-term participant observation will be the primary method used to uncover the culture in these settings, supplemented by interviews and documentary analysis. The aim of the analysis is to provide an explanation of processes and outcomes in each of the three settings, followed by a cross-case synthesis using comparable Australian data to develop the evidence base and to support the development of tools to support the development of positive helpful cultures in social and health care services.