J. Shearn et al., The cost-effectiveness of supported employment for people with severe intellectual disabilities and high support needs: a pilot study, J APPL RES, 13(1), 2000, pp. 29-37
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
The costs and outcomes of supporting seven people with severe intellectual
disabilities and high support needs in part-time employment were compared w
ith those of a Special Needs Unit (SNU) of a day centre, both within-subjec
t and against an equal-sized comparison group. The income of those employed
was described. Direct observation of the employment activities and represe
ntative SNU activities were undertaken to assess participant engagement in
activity and receipt of assistance, social contact in general and social co
ntact from people other than paid staff. Costs of providing service support
were calculated taking account of staff:service user ratios, staff identit
ies and wage rates and service-administrative and management overheads. Emp
loyment was associated with greater receipt of assistance, higher task-rela
ted engagement in activity and more social contact from people other than p
aid staff. SNU activities were associated with greater receipt of social co
ntact. Supporting people in employment was more expensive than in the SNU.
Cost-effectiveness ratios of producing assistance and engagement in activit
ies were equivalent across the comparative contexts. The SNU was more cost-
effective in producing social involvement; employment in producing social c
ontact from people other than paid staff.