Collaborative case report: participatory action research into using EQUIP to support community discharge

Abstract

Purpose

There is a need to evaluate an adapted Equipping Youth to help One Another (EQUIP) programme for people with intellectual disabilities and forensic needs. The purpose of this paper is to explore a service user’s experience of completing the intervention as part of their transition into the community.

Design/methodology/approach

A collaborative case report was used. Following hospital discharge and completion of the adapted EQUIP programme, one service user with mild intellectual disability was supported to share their treatment experiences using participatory action research.

Findings

Findings suggest that while the adapted community EQUIP group can support skills acquisition (e.g. problem-solving), discharge processes and community reintegration, professionals need to maintain a person-centred approach mindful of participants’ complex emotional journeys.

Research limitations/implications

The design allows for tentative conclusions to be made about the service user’s journey and is not necessarily generalisable.

Practical implications

There is a pressing need to develop the evidence base for interventions offered in the community to people with intellectual disabilities and a history of offending. This report provides some evidence that EQUIP can be adapted to support this population.

Originality/value

This is the first coproduced publication exploring the experience of a service user with intellectual disability who completed an adapted EQUIP programme.

Citation

Tearle, S., S., S. and Holt, R.R. (2018), "Collaborative case report: participatory action research into using EQUIP to support community discharge", Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 23-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-05-2019-0010