Objectives: Over the past three decades, major changes have taken place internationally in the type of residential accommodation provided for people with intellectual disabilities but these appear to be less evident in Northern Ireland.

Method: A census was undertaken of all persons in any form of residential placement using a range of existing databases to identify the population, with a short questionnaire completed for each resident.

Results: Around 440 persons lived in hospitals and 1,970 in some other form of provision but mostly in large congregated settings such as residential care homes and nursing homes. This was more marked in certain Health and Social Service Boards than in others. Most places are provided by the private sector although voluntary organisations and housing associations now manage around one-third of places. People living in hospitals reportedly had different characteristics to those in all other settings while those in nursing homes tended to require greater personal care. However the characteristics of people living in residential homes, supported living arrangements and village communities were broadly comparable. Around one in 10 persons were deemed to benefit from a move; mostly from residential homes to more independent living arrangements.

Conclusions: Compared to Britain and the Republic of Ireland there is an under-provision of residential placements in Northern Ireland. To date, funding from outside of health and social services has been the main driver for the type of accommodation provided. The implications for future policy and provision are discussed.