A study of the perceived barriers to the implementation of circles of support

The purpose of this study was to identity barriers to implementing the social support intervention, Circle of Support, in supported employment (SE) services for people with psychiatric disabilities.

Semi-structured interviews were administered to SE staff at three month intervals up to one year. Two focus groups were held with service recipients who did not participate in a circle of support. Interviews were conducted with two individuals receiving SE services who participated in a pilot project in which study researchers implemented circles of support.

Common themes regarding the barriers to implementing a circle of support developed from the data. Service recipients who did not participate in a circle of support and those who did expressed the perceived and actual barriers to this approach as being: time, too much focus on the participant, and lack of control/facilitation of circle activities. Service recipients who participated in a pilot who had circles of support reported that this intervention was beneficial to them. Staff and service recipients identified time, running of the actual circle of support meetings, and supporter issues as barriers to implementing this technique.

Although certain barriers to this technique were identified, there were features of this approach that both staff and service recipients, who had a circle of support, found beneficial. Since ongoing support is a critical component of successful employment, individuals may benefit from the use of these Circles of Support techniques.