Offending and risky behaviour in community services for people with intellectual disabilities in one local authority

Abstract

The total population of adults with intellectual disabilities known to health and social services in one local authority was surveyed to establish the extent of risky and offending behaviour. Face-to-face structured interviews established that of the 1,326 adults known to services, 348 (26%) showed risky behaviours that had been or might be construed as offences, 128 (9.7%) had a history of contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) and 38 (2.9%) had a history of criminal convictions, while 11 (0.83%) had a current conviction. Of the 84 settings surveyed, 48% had experienced caring for clients with a history of CJS contact, as had 93% of social services/health staff. There were some significant differences between private and voluntary sector residential homes and between day centres and residential settings. There were also significant differences between individuals with and without CJS contact and between those with CJS contact who had and had not been convicted. The findings have implications for the assessment and management of risk by intellectual disability services and the further education and training of care staff.