Supporting Adults with an Intellectual Disability During Experiences of Loss and Bereavement: Staff Views, Experiences and Suggestions for Training

Background Care staff are a major source of information and support for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) following a bereavement. How staff perceive the loss experience has implications for the quality and level of support provided to individuals with ID at times of personal loss. Method Twenty-four staff members participated in the three focus groups aimed at examining staff knowledge and attitudes to bereavement, experiences of supporting people with ID during times of loss, the degree of service agency support and staff training needs. Results Staff described service users' reactions to loss as for the most part similar to those observed in the typical population. Staff reported a lack of confidence and uncertainty, particularly around operational procedures following bereavement. Conflicting attitudes between themselves and the service agency around bereavement support procedures and a lack of awareness of the emotional impact of grief on service users and staff were highlighted by participants along with the need for quality information, skill development and further training. Conclusions Service agencies need to be more proactive in supporting staff and in developing policy and guidelines in conjunction with practical training initiatives. There is a general need for greater awareness of the emotional impact of loss on staff and service users within specialist services.