Community care and participatory action research

This chapter examines the social context for the move into community care from a long-stay hospital at the time of the inquiry, including challenges for residents and carers. It then explores influences on music therapy thinking and practice at that time, including the social model of disability, community music therapy and the relational notion of secondary handicap. Developments in thinking and practice in music therapy since the inquiry took place are discussed, including anti-oppressive practice and the rise of the neurodiversity movement. The term ‘challenging behaviour’ is explored and critiqued, leading towards a rationale for the use of participatory action research (PAR). Finally, an explanation of the main principles of co-operative inquiry, a form of PAR, is provided.