Organisational Culture in Disability Accommodation Services

Culture refers to shared beliefs, values, basic assumptions, norms, and patterns of behaviour that influence how staff think, feel, and act. It exists at multiple levels within organisations (e.g., whole of organisation, senior managers, frontline service) and it enables and constrains what staff do. Most research on culture in disability organisations has occurred at the service level. Culture can account for poor practice and abuse of people with intellectual disabilities living in supported accommodation services. Conversely, it can contribute to good quality support and quality of life outcomes. This chapter explains what is culture, how it influences staff behaviour, the characteristics of culture in good and poor quality services, and how to change culture.