Research Corner
Research Corner
We've been reviewing contemporary research and found something that may be of use to you.
We know your days are full, and most people do not have time to read long academic papers between shifts. So, this new Research Corner will share quick, practical learning from current research.
Quick summary
A recent study looked at care professionals supporting people with intellectual disabilities and explored how to mitigate symptoms of burnout. They found:
- When staff felt their work had a substantial positive impact on others, they felt less emotionally drained.
- Working alongside families and the people they support on meaningful projects helped staff feel more connected to the purpose of their work and felt their work had more impact, resulting in professionals experiencing significantly less emotional exhaustion and lower levels of cynicism.
Why it matters on the floor
This tracks with something many of you already know: care feels more sustainable when you can see the difference you're making.
Small, meaningful projects matter - whether that is improving someone's routine, planning a quality-of-life goal, or working with families on something personal. This approach helps structure roles around impact, which protects your energy and motivation.
It also reminds us that co-production can be a welfare tool for staff, not just the gold standard for care planning. When you are part of shared, meaningful work, it can help reduce emotional strain and keep you connected to why our work matters.
We'll keep sharing practical research like this in future editions. You can also find the full paper and other resources in the research depository.
Open the research paper
Legal update
Major Change to Deprivation of Liberty Law: What You Need to Know
A significant Supreme Court ruling handed down in June 2026 has fundamentally changed how deprivation of liberty is assessed across health and social care settings.
The judgment overturns the long-standing 2014 Cheshire West ruling, which has shaped deprivation of liberty practice for more than a decade. Importantly, the change takes immediate effect and organisations across the sector are now awaiting further guidance on how the new approach will be implemented in practice.
What Has Changed?
Since 2014, the Cheshire West "acid test" has been used to determine whether someone is deprived of their liberty. Broadly speaking, if a person was under continuous supervision and control and not free to leave, they were likely to be considered deprived of their liberty and therefore entitled to legal safeguards and authorisation processes.
The Supreme Court has now ruled that this approach was too simplistic and should no longer be used. Instead, professionals must consider a wider range of factors, including the individual's circumstances, the purpose of the restrictions, their experience of the arrangements and whether they appear to accept those arrangements.
Why Does This Matter?
This is one of the most significant changes to mental capacity and deprivation of liberty law in a generation. The ruling is expected to reduce the number of situations that are considered a deprivation of liberty, meaning fewer people may require formal DoLS authorisations or equivalent legal oversight. Supporters of the judgment believe this could reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and allow resources to be focused on the most restrictive situations.
However, disability charities, advocacy organisations and legal experts have raised concerns that some individuals who previously benefited from independent scrutiny and legal safeguards may no longer receive the same level of protection.
What Does This Mean for Us?
For providers like Cavalry across Supported Living, Complex Care and Children's Services, this ruling is likely to influence:
- Assessments of restrictive practices
- Care planning and best interest decision-making
- Mental Capacity Act processes
- Existing and future DoLS applications
- Relationships with commissioners and local authorities
- Staff training and professional practice
At present, there remains uncertainty while government departments, regulators and local authorities consider the practical implications of the judgment and develop updated guidance.
What's Next?
The sector is now awaiting further guidance from government, regulators and legal experts to understand how the new definition should be applied in day-to-day practice. Given the scale of the change, we will be seeking further training and guidance to ensure our teams remain informed and continue to uphold the rights, dignity and safety of the people we support.
This is an evolving area of law, and we encourage all operational teams to keep an eye out for future updates as more information becomes available.
