Challenging Behaviour Services
Intellectual Disability
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Intellectual Disability:
Challenging Behaviour Services
Nua Healthcare promotes a non-aversive and proactive philosophy to supporting individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and associated Challenging Behaviours. Nua utilise the definition of challenging behaviour proposed by Emerson (2001) and understand challenging behaviour as:-
"culturally abnormal behaviour of such intensity, frequency and duration that the physical safety of the person or others is likely to be placed in serious jeopardy, or behaviour which is likely to seriously limit use of, or result in the person being denied access to, ordinary community facilities."
The focus of our approach to supporting those with behavioural difficulties is through Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). PBS is person centred and quality of life enhancement is central to the approach. PBS combines proactive and reactive strategies through skill acquisition and systems change methods to enhance quality of life and minimize problem behaviour.
This is delivered through Multi-element intervention planning (LaVigna and Willis 2005) providing a balance of interventions aimed at long term behaviour change whilst ensuring the safety of the person and those around them.
This is supported by our staff team’s training in Crisis Intervention (CPI) and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) which embraces solutions that include the individual, their families and health providers.
In addition to this behaviour provision in many of our services we currently operate two specialist services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour - The Willows and Rathbeag. Both services are staffed by social care and nursing staff.
The Willows
The Willows is the only purpose-designed specialist Challenging Behaviour Service in Kildare. Situated in the heart of the Kildare countryside, it is about one mile from Monasterevin town and 10 miles from Kildare.
The service comprises of 4 high support beds with sensory bathing facilities, a low arousal room and secure gardens.
This specialist building provides safety, security and above all, a quality home for service users with high support needs.
Clinical supports include the interventions of Dr Mark Harold, Clinical Psychologist , Paul Harle Behavioural Psychologist and Dr Louis O' Carroll, Consultant Psychiatrist. All clinicians have a significant level of experience in the support of individuals with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour.
The service also has onsite access to the Willows Therapy Centre which includes a multisensory room, special education room, state-of-the-art gym and canteen.
Rathbeag
Rathbeag is a community-based mental health/challenging behaviour facility catering for individuals with issues such as borderline personality disorders.
The house is situated on 3.5 acres in the Laois countryside and has 4 en-suite bedrooms.
Separate from the main house, there is an additional self-contained apartment for individuals who experience severe and intense episodes of challenging behaviour. The apartment has its own bedroom, sitting room, kitchenette and sensory/ low arousal area. It also has its own secure garden. This enables individuals in crisis to withdraw for a period of time until they feel able to cope with the wider environment.