Abstract

Placement breakdown is a common cause of avoidable admissions to intellectual disability inpatient services among people with intellectual disability. The Dynamic Support Register with intensive support function was introduced to help minimise these admissions. This study explored the perceptions of service users, carers and professionals of the extent to which the Dynamic Support Register identifies early risk of placement breakdown and reduces admissions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four service users, five community learning disability team professionals and five carers (paid and unpaid). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using the constructs of Normalisation Process Theory. Key factors influencing the placement breakdown were identified. There was consensus that increasing understanding and awareness of the Dynamic Support Register with intensive support among health and social care professionals, service users and families would improve the provision of timely and appropriate support. The intensive support function provided by the community learning disability team for people on the Dynamic Support Register was viewed to have reduced avoidable inpatient admissions. The Dynamic Support Register identifies early risk of placement breakdown and, with intensive support from the community learning disability team, could minimise avoidable inpatient admissions. However, limited awareness among primary care, health and social care professionals highlights the need for increased training to optimise its impact.