Residential facilities for mentally handicapped children: evaluation of a development project in Sheffield

Aspects of residential units provided for children under the Sheffield Development Project were studied. A variety of issues were raised which could be helpful in planning future services. The demand for places was considerably less than had been expected under the Project plans, and a greater than predicted proportion of the children had severe handicaps. Units had not specialized as intended, but had developed their own admission criteria. All unit heads felt smaller group sizes would have been preferable and most favoured smaller bedrooms. Fewer institutional staff management practices took place in the more domestic environments. Provision for outdoor play tended to be neglected.