This project may be co-funded by the European Union

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities who also experience mental health disorders represent a highly vulnerable population often underserved by existing systems. In Malta, specialised residential services for youths with this diagnosis are extremely limited or non-existent, resulting in fragmented care or families struggling to cope. This project is driven by the urgent need to fill that gap. Without well-trained personnel, even a new residential facility would risk providing suboptimal care due to the complexity of dual diagnoses (for example, mental health symptoms may be overlooked or misattributed to a person’s disability, a phenomenon known as diagnostic overshadowing). International research indicates that 21–34% of individuals with intellectual disabilities experience mental health disorders, many of whom do not receive appropriate or timely care. The consequences of these care gaps are severe, leading to heightened distress for the young persons and their families, increased risk of crises, and poor life outcomes. These gaps arise in part from inadequate training among care providers. Thus, empowering staff with the right competencies is essential for the new service to effectively support its residents.

The project equips a team of 28 staff members (including both management and frontline care staff) with the specialised skills and knowledge needed to establish and operate a new residential service for adolescents with co-occurring intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions. By focusing on intensive staff training and professional development, the project will ensure that this vulnerable cohort receives high-quality, person-centred care.

The project and related tenders below may be co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus

Richmond will be issuing calls for tenders and quotations for the provision of:

Immersive observational visits (practical learning)
Observational study visits to specialised services in the UK renowned for excellence in dual-diagnosis care. In particular, Richmond Foundation is seeking to get the training from entities  which operate innovative community and residential programmes for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs. These visits (of one week each) will allow our Maltese staff to shadow experienced professionals and witness best practices in action. Participants will observe day-to-day operations, care routines, therapeutic interventions, and inter-disciplinary team meetings in these UK services.

Theoretical and Skills Training Workshops (Classroom Learning): Complementing the hands-on learning, Richmond Foundation is seeking to organise a comprehensive series of training workshops in Malta led by external professionals and subject-matter experts. We plan to invite trainers with specialised expertise in this diagnosis (intellectual disability & mental health).