An evaluation of an intellectual disabilities intensive support team's interventions - A practice paper

Background: Intensive support teams (IST) are multi-disciplinary teams that use multi-element interventions including positive behaviour support (PBS) to reduce behaviour that challenges. Research evaluating the effectiveness of IST interventions is sparse. Method and materials: Measures were taken on 26 individuals with intellectual disability, referred to an intensive support team in the UK between 2018 and 2020. The Behaviour Problem Inventory (BPI) and Health Equalities Framework (HEF) measures were used at baseline and follow up to measure the impact of service interventions Results: T-test analysis of the Pre and Post intervention BPI and HEF outcome measures suggest that IST interventions were effective in reducing levels of behaviour that challenged and that health inequalities were reduced. Conclusions: Interventions delivered by the IST appeared to be effective in reducing behaviour that challenged carers and there was also a decrease in documented health inequalities following intervention. Limitations included missing outcome data and a lack of direct qualitative feedback. Further research could consider exploring the impact of other aspects of team role such as training.