Group Homes for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Encouraging Inclusion and Participation

Tim Clement · Christine Bigby

Oct 2009 · Jessica Kingsley Publishers

About this ebook

Group homes are the dominant form of residential accommodation for people with severe learning or intellectual disabilities, and yet there are significant problems within these living environments. This book seeks to highlight the key issues for both residents and staff, and offers practical suggestions for improving community living.

Based on original empirical research and drawing on extensive field notes, the book paints a picture of life in group homes today. The authors propose a framework for increasing community presence and participation, and consider the barriers to be overcome if progress is to be made in achieving these key goals. The notion of 'homeliness', the challenge of maintaining a balance between individual and group needs and the concept of practice leadership are all explored.

Group Homes for People with Intellectual Disabilities is essential reading for anyone working with people with learning or intellectual disabilities in residential services, as well as academics and students of disability studies, social work and health and social care programmes.

About the author

Tim Clement is Research Fellow in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University, and has worked with people with intellectual disabilities for over 20 years. Christine Bigby is Professor and Director of Postgraduate Programs in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. She is Editor of Australian Social Work, author of Ageing with a Lifelong Disability: A Guide to Practice, Program and Policy Issues for Human Services Professionals and co-editor of Planning and Support for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Issues for Case Managers and Other Professionals, both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.