Approaches to Residential Support: A Case Study

The Kingwood Trust has developed a range of approaches to supporting people with challenging behaviour living in small group homes. Using an essentially eclectic model of practice, The Kingwood Trust believes in ‘empathic interactions’ drawing on a range of methodologies including TEACH, LOVAAS, Higashi Daily Life Therapy, active support and behavioural analysis. The Kingwood Trust has found that it is able to support individuals with complex needs and achieve positive changes in the way people express themselves, and in their lifestyle. The approach is rooted in an understanding of autism and the triad of impairment, along with the three guiding principles which reduce the difficulties that these impairments create for individuals. This paper describes these three guiding principles with examples of practice situations within the services provided by The Kingwood Trust. Discussion of organisational culture and management style and their critical role in the motivation of support staff and the quality of decision‐making is also included.