Active Support is a proven model of care that enables and empowers people with intellectual disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of their lives. This evidence-based approach is particularly effective for working with people with communication difficulties, and is of growing interest to those responsible for providing support and services. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of Active Support and how it can be used in practice, based on the theory and research underpinning the methods involved. They describe how to engage people with intellectual disabilities in meaningful activity as active participants, and look at the communication style needed to foster successful enabling relationships between carers and the people they are supporting. Highlighting the main issues for those trying to put Active Support into practice, they explain what is needed on a day-to-day basis to support the implementation, improvement and maintenance of the approach, along with possible solutions for the difficulties they may encounter. Finally, they look at how to integrate Active Support with other person-centred approaches, drawing on examples from various organisations and individual case studies. The definitive text on active support, this book will be of interest to anyone professionally concerned with the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities, including psychologists, behaviour specialists, social workers, care managers, occupational therapists and inspectors and regulators of services.

Jim Mansell was Emeritus Professor of Learning Disability at the Tizard Centre, University of Kent, and Adjunct Professor in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University, Melbourne. He was a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a Chartered Psychologist and an Academician of the Social Sciences. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours 2012. Julie Beadle-Brown is Reader in intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent and an Adjunct Associate Professor at La Trobe University, Melbourne. She is a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychology Society.