What constitutes effective Support and Provision Within Day Service Centres for People With Intellectual Disabilities? A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research

Belsey, J ORCID: 0000-0001-7405-9281 and Harrison, R (2026) 'What constitutes effective Support and Provision Within Day Service Centres for People With Intellectual Disabilities? A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research.' Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. doi: 10.1111/jir.70146

[thumbnail of 17886.pdf]
Preview
Text
17886.pdf - Published Version
CC BY 4.0.

Download (5MB) | Preview
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.70146

Abstract

Background: This review aimed to investigate the effectiveness and quality of support and provision within day service centres for people with intellectual disabilities. Method: The International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, Scopus and PsycInfo databases were searched in August 2024, and the results were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. Peer‐reviewed, English‐language, qualitative studies that investigated the effectiveness of day service provision for people with intellectual disabilities in non‐residential settings were considered for review. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative research. Qualitative themes were identified through thematic analysis and synthesised using the ConQual approach. Results: Fourteen studies were included and four key themes emerged: ‘perceptions of service quality’; ‘community‐orientation, integration, and empowerment’; ‘challenging behaviours and safety’; and ‘staff‐centred factors and job satisfaction’. Confidence in the evidence was ‘very low’ for 3/4 themes, while there was ‘moderate’ confidence in the evidence related to the theme ‘perceptions of service quality’. Conclusions: Day service centres for people with intellectual disabilities may enhance their effectiveness and quality of provision by concentrating on promoting communication, engagement, relationships, social networks and community integration. Addressing the methodological shortcomings and incomplete reporting of related research in future would contribute to improvements in overall confidence in the evidence base. This can then be better used to inform and further enhance day service provision for people with intellectual disabilities.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: day centre, day services, intellectual disability, learning disability, people with intellectual disabilities
Divisions: School of Sciences
Date Deposited: 12 Aug 2026 14:30
Last Modified: 12 Aug 2026 14:32
ISSN: 0964-2633
URN: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17886
Request a change to this item or report an issue Request a change to this item or report an issue
Update item (repository staff only) Update item (repository staff only)