Aims: This study sets out to investigate direct care staff's views of their need for support, supervision, and training in their practice in day care settings when supporting daily occupations among developmentally disabled persons.

Background: The first line staff are considered as having a prominent role in the successful delivery of service.

Methods: Three municipalities, one urban and two rural areas in southern Sweden, were chosen for the study. The studied population n = 81 consisted of 94.1% of all staff employed in day activities units supporting the clients' daily occupations or community-integrated, sheltered work employment. The data were collected by means of a questionnaire.

Findings: This material identified the staff's perceived work role, and their needs for support, supervision, and training in the areas of communication, environment adaptation, individual activation and training methods, with regard to learning disabilities and special needs.

Conclusions: Care managers should focus upon preparation of staff support programmes to improve the quality and efficiency in this area of care.