What Is Important to People With Learning Disabilities in Supported Accommodation?

ABSTRACT Background In the United Kingdom, approximately 25% of adults with learning disabilities live in supported accommodation. Operational models rarely consider how people with learning disabilities want to experience the flow and rhythm of everyday life. The study explored adults with learning disabilities' perspectives of activity participation in supported settings. Method Participants were 19 adults with a learning disability who shared their views via one‐to‐one interviews and focus groups. Questions used for both the interviews and the focus groups were co‐produced with experts by experience. Data were analysed using a rapid analysis involving researchers and experts by experience. Findings Adults living in supported accommodation said they liked to participate in many activities, especially outside the home, and enjoyed being busy. They identified that their experience and choice could be affected by service limitations, mainly due to a lack of staff support, which in turn was linked to limitations in local authority funding and staff shift patterns. Conclusions Operational models for supported accommodation settings should prioritise supporting people to participate in a wealth of activities and to experience a ‘busy’ life, within their communities, moving beyond community presence. Such models would enable a better quality of life through greater self‐determination.