The characteristics of person-centred care in residential services for children and adults with disabilities: a scoping review protocol

<ns3:p> Introduction In 2022, almost 74,000 people with disabilities engaged with a disability service in Ireland. Of those, 7,486 people were living in a residential service, while overnight respite was provided to 3,196 people. National standards for health and social care promote practice that is up to date, evidence based and consistent. Since the publication of the <ns3:italic>National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities</ns3:italic> in 2013 by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in Ireland, there have been significant changes in the sector, including an increased focus on a human rights-based approach to care, and legislative changes. The scoping review aims to identify and describe the evidence-based characteristics of person-centred care for children and adults with disabilities living in residential services. Methods This scoping review will be conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework for scoping reviews. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to guide the reporting. A search of electronic databases (Medline Complete via Ebscohost, The Cochrane Library via Wiley, CINAHL Complete via Ebscohost, Embase via Elsevier and PsycInfo via Ebscohost) will be conducted to identify appropriate articles for inclusion. Data extraction will be completed using a template and guidance form designed for this review, and a narrative summary will describe how the results relate to the aim of the scoping review. Conclusion The findings of the scoping review will inform a potential update of the <ns3:italic>National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities</ns3:italic> in Ireland. </ns3:p>