Active Support

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.

• Acknowledgements. Preface. Introduction. 1. Engagement in Meaningful Activity and Relationships. 2. The Enabling Relationship. 3. Organising Staff Support. 4. Practice Leadership. 5. The Organisational Context. 6. Integrating Active Support with Other Person-centred Approaches. Conclusion. Appendix I: Summary of the Levels of Engagement Reported in Available Studies and Additional Analysis of Available Data, with Adaptive Behaviour Scale Part 1 (ABS) Score Where Available. Appendix II: Summary of Data on Engagement and Support from Staff Following Implementation of Active Support. References. Index.

Mansell and Beadle-Brown have created a thorough handbook of AS and how to implement it successfully. Readers of this book will also obtain different perspectives of challenges faced with AS, and how to resolve these. The book is a stimulating read, with a strong evidence base referenced to research and government papers. The authors explain their material clearly, and offer ideas for future research. This is a book to buy for any student or practitioner in a relevant field.