Finlay, W. M. L. and Antaki, Charles and Walton, Chris (2008) A manifesto for the use of video in service improvement and staff development in residential services for people with learning disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 36 (4). pp. 227-231. ISSN 1354-4187
Abstract
In this paper we argue that video recording of actual practice should be a central tool for organisations attempting to improve services for people with learning disabilities. Since an important site for the disempowerment of service-users is in everyday, mundane interactions with service staff, an approach to staff development is needed which allows workers to see what they actually do and how they might do it differently. Research illustrates that retrospective self-reports of what people habitually do cannot capture much of the important details of communicative interaction. We argue that video recordings are the best way of doing this, and provide examples from our own work of the type of benefits that can arise. Finally, we set out a set of guidelines for the use of video recording in reflective practice in services.