Research on Deinstitutionalisation

Examination of the outcomes of the resettlement of residents from the Kimberley Centre

Photo of a window in the Donald Beasley Institute.

This research is examining the outcomes of the resettlement of residents of the Kimberley Centre, a large institution for people with an intellectual disability, near Levin in the North Island of New Zealand. Three distinct but interrelated groups of research participants have been included in the research. They include: residents (people with an intellectual disability); their families; and their staff.

The first phase of this research has focussed on the lived experiences of 50 residents in the Kimberley Centre, their families and the staff of the Centre. The second phase of this research is now focussing on those particular 50 residents who have left the Kimberley Centre and are now living their lives in community-based services, their families and their staff in the community-based services. This study has been designed to provide information that will enable the researchers to evaluate the outcomes of deinstitutionalisation for all three groups of research participants.

Data for this study has been collected in a variety of ways. Qualitative interviews have been conducted in both phases of the research, with residents (wherever possible) families and staff. Observations of residents have been conducted to complement the interview material. A range of measures has been used to determine changes in adaptive behaviour and quality of life. Additional information has been gathered from residents' files. Focus groups have also been facilitated with the staff in the Kimberley Centre.

This research project is well into Phase II and the research team is visiting ex-Kimberley residents up and down the North Island, and their families. The Ministry of Health and the Health Research Council have jointly funded this project.

Research Team: Ms Sue Gates, Mr Paul Milner, Dr Claire Stewart, Dr Anne Bray, Ms Kelly Tikao