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Purpose: With a historic lack of attention to synthesis methods such as systematic review and meta-analysis and a lack of randomised controlled trials, the evidence base for behavioural interventions for children and adults who are autistic or are diagnosed with developmental disabilities is patchy. The Sharland Foundation Developmental Disabilities Applied Behavioural Research and Impact Network (SF-DDARIN), a network of like-minded researchers and practitioners across the UK, aims to address this. The purpose of this paper is to describe the network's work and provide the context for the remaining articles in the special issue that exemplify network projects. Design/methodology/approach: In this case study paper, the authors describe how the SF-DDARIN works and is resourced, detailing the process used to maximise research opportunities by facilitating network members working together. The authors outline the progressive research steps that the SF-DDARIN has identified are needed to develop and improve the evidence base for behavioural interventions systematically and, with examples, describe how the network delivers these steps. Findings: Since its establishment in 2016, the SF-DDARIN network members have collectively worked on more than 53 projects involving over 50 researchers, had over 120 special schools contribute to projects and have recruited over 500 participants. This has been achieved through funding from the Sharland Foundation, primarily to cover the staffing costs of a small support team and internship partnerships with external organisations. Some projects have attracted external funding. Originality/value: SF-DDARIN may provide an innovative, effective and resource-efficient model for other groups seeking to develop and extend their evidence base in developmental disability research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to offer a commentary on Denne et al.'s (2024) article discussing the journey undertaken by the Sharland Foundation Developmental Disabilities Applied Behavioural Research and Impact Network to augment evidence surrounding the efficacy of the online Headsprout® Early Reading programme. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing from over 15 years of professional experience as a qualified teacher in special education settings, the author reflects on the network's approach and its alignment with their own expertise. Findings: While acknowledging the commendable focus of the network on amassing additional evidence, this commentary underscores the importance of identifying barriers and fostering adaptability within the educational landscape. Central to the discussion is the imperative to prioritise students' needs and tailor data collection methods to suit their unique contexts. Originality/value: This commentary is aimed at professionals working in special education settings striving to improve their practice and student outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evidence-informed decision-making is considered best practice when choosing interventions in applied settings across health, social care and education. Developing that evidence base, however, is not straightforward. The pupose of this paper is to describe the process implemented by the Sharland Foundation Developmental Disabilities Applied Behavioural Research and Impact Network (SF-DDARIN) that systematically develops an evidence base for behaviorally based interventions. Design/methodology/approach: In this case study, the progressive research steps undertaken by the SF-DDARIN to develop the evidence base for an online reading intervention, the Headsprout® Early Reading programme (HER®), which uses behavioural principles to promote learning to read, are described. Findings: A series of discrete projects targeting gaps in the evidence base for HER® led to funding two randomised controlled trials in England, one in education and one in health and social care. Originality/value: This case study illustrates an original, creative and effective way of collaborating across academic research departments and applied settings to extend the evidence base for a chosen intervention systematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to broaden the discussion on some of the barriers and solutions for co-production in positive behaviour support (PBS) planning as identified in the paper "Including people with intellectual disabilities in the development of their own Positive Behaviour Support Plans". Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on the literature associated with co-production in PBS planning, this commentary will reflect on the wider systems and culture needed to enable successful implementation of this way of working. Findings: Co-production in PBS planning is recommended as part of best practice guidelines. However, there is limited research in the area of co-production with regards to PBS and use of augmentative and alternative communication methods. Collaboration among speech and language therapy and PBS practitioners is an important factor for co-production to achieve the best outcomes for people with learning disabilities who display behaviours of concern. Along with identifying a range of communication tools/strategies needed for PBS assessment/planning, it also requires a whole systems approach and culture shift to ensure the necessary foundations are in place. Originality/value: Co-production in PBS planning remains an under practiced way of working. This commentary builds on the barriers and solutions identified for co-production and provides further insight into what might be needed to achieve this in health and social care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary to Hayward, Poed and McKay-Brown's article by expanding upon some of the reasons for the apparent dominance of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). Design/methodology/approach: The commentary notes the rise and dominance of Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) over a similar time frame, and uses both this and ideas from the literature to examine the reasons for, advantages and consequences of PBS's dominance. Findings: The paper identifies three overlapping reasons for the comparable rise of PBS and CBT, and examines the impact that their dominance has had on attempts to manage quality, improve outcomes and train staff. Originality/value: Establishing the reasons for the success of a theoretical approach can assist with the development of other effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss the variables which have contributed to the adoption of positive behaviour support (PBS) and applied behaviour analysis (ABA). Differences and similarities are highlighted, applications to contemporary issues in the UK and Australia are emphasised, and considerations posed for their improved adoption. Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual framework for diffusion of innovations theory is used to guide the analysis of three sets of articles, and application of the framework is guided by narrative analysis. Findings: Eight variables from the conceptual framework were identified, and the communication networks for PBS and ABA are argued to be distinct. There has been a positive change in the perception of PBS by the ABA field, but PBS has leveraged diffusion more successfully. ABA appears to have been separated from PBS in the UK while Australia is yet to fully benefit from the contributions of ABA. Those working in the fields of PBS and ABA should further collaborate for their mutual benefit. Practical implications: Greater attention to the factors which promote diffusion can assist PBS and ABA to improve their adoption. Originality/value: This is the first paper to use diffusion of innovations theory to analyse the adoption of PBS and ABA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Without effective support and intervention, young people with learning disabilities and severe challenging behaviour are at risk of placement in out-of-area residential settings or highly specialist child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) units. Such placements may be inappropriate and result in significant reductions to the quality of life of young people and their families. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Bradford positive behaviour support (PBS) service model in terms of its aims to improve quality of life, develop skills and maintain children living with their families in their own homes. Design/methodology/approach: A service evaluation using quantitative and qualitative data from a range of sources to review the effectiveness of the PBS model being applied in Bradford and Calderdale was the methodology used. Findings: When consistently implemented, the Bradford positive behaviour support–in reach service may improve quality of life, facilitate skill development in young people and their carers and reduce placements in residential and CAMHS inpatient units. Avoidance of such placements is likely to reduce the overall costs of service commissioning in Bradford. Originality/value: This paper evaluates a novel approach being applied by a third sector agency to implement effective PBS with a small group of children, their families and networks. There is scope for this model to be successfully implemented in other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on some of the issues raised in the paper “Developing a logic model to guide evaluation of impact for learning disability projects: the case of the Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) Academy”.Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the PBS literature and with reference to the Scott et al. paper, the use of a logic model as a framework for implementing PBS within social care organisations is described.Findings A logic model may be a useful framework for the implementation of PBS within social care organisations and could be used to help organisations develop a strategic approach to whole-system implementation of PBS.Originality/value This commentary adds to the discussion by considering the use of a logic model as a framework for implementing PBS within social care organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Direct care staff may be resistant to the use of behavioural interventions. Whilst some research suggests that resistance to the cost of behavioural interventions is one factor of influence, there is lack of research exploring why staff are influenced by the cost. The purpose of this paper is to explore this issue. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, the phenomenon of resistance is analysed with the help of behavioural economics and of the behavioural perspective model (BPM). Findings: The resistance to the cost of behavioural interventions is correlated with the low quality of the working environment and ways in which staff might attend to factors which protect their own well-being. Practical implications: Services might need to focus on the ways in which behavioural interventions protect staff's well-being. Originality/value: This paper explores the use of the BPM and of behavioural economics as conceptual tools for the analysis of the factors leading to non-adoption of behavioural interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on "A logic model for the implementation of a regional workforce strategy in Positive Behavioural Support". Design/methodology/approach: This commentary provides a discussion of the importance of evaluating positive behaviour support (PBS) training and key issues relating to this. This provides a springboard from which researchers/practitioners may consider these issues when designing and evaluating PBS training courses. Findings: Three main issues are explored: the necessary diversity and breadth of PBS training approaches, the outcome domains to be evaluated and wider systemic issues that may influence PBS training and evaluation of its effectiveness. Originality/value: Effective PBS implementation requires robust training. To achieve this, it will be important for the field to overcome issues relating to the evaluation of training approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to evaluate the social validity of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist - Communit y (ABC-C). Design/methodology/approach: Thirty-six participants completed a questionnaire in which they identified and commented on items of the ABC-C they saw as problematic. Thematic analysis was conducted on the comments made. Findings: All participants identified at least one item of the ABC-C as problematic with six items being so identified by over half the participants. A number of themes were identified in participant comments including ambiguity, judgemental language, child-focussed language, lack of attention to behavioural function and repetition. Research limitations/implications: More research is required using empirically based methodologies on measures used to assess people with learning disabilities. This should involve ascertaining the social validity of such measures by soliciting the views of both those being assessed and those assessing. Originality/value: This study is the first of its kind to evaluate the social validity of one of the most widely used measures of challenging behaviour for people with learning disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Measuring “impact” is an important aspect of the dissemination of evidence-based practice and relevant to all disciplines. However, it has only recently become a focus of enquiry and is not commonly directly researched within the learning disabilities field. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of developing a logic model for the UK Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) Academy as part of an evaluation and impact study of its work to date.Design/methodology/approach Logic models are a visual representation of the relationship between a project’s resources, activities and outputs and identified outcomes, in relation to key stakeholder groups. This representation allows for key impact measures to be identified and can be a useful tool for evaluation purposes. The authors used the process outlined by McLaughlin and Jordan (1998) to develop a bespoke logic model for the PBS Academy.Findings The model was particularly helpful in making clear the distinction between output and impact, identifying impact criteria differentiated by stakeholder group and across time scales, and highlighting areas of activity that are needed to increase the impact of the work of the PBS Academy in the longer term.Originality/value In the absence of any generalised impact evaluation frameworks in the learning disabilities field, the authors suggest that logic models may provide a useful framework for evaluating the impact of policy, practice, and research interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]