This report describes a project which surveyed providers and purchasers of nursing services within the National Health Service in England on what is available and what is needed in staff training for those working with individuals having mental retardation and challenging behaviors and/or mental illness. Section 1 describes the methodology of the study and reviews the literature. Section 2 reports the perceptions of 70 nursing college providers and 55 purchasers concerning definitions, models of service provision, and required skills and standards for staff working with this client group. Section 3 is a directory of 12 existing, externally validated courses. Provided for each listing is the title; coordinator's name; name of institution; and a summary (such as course length, format, target student group, admission requirements, award, content, and validation). Short courses and workshops are also listed, as is information on courses planned by survey respondents. Recommendations focus on development of a National Resource Group of educators, managers, and users; key emphases of training; and clarification of terminology. The questionnaire forms are appended. (Contains 60 references.) (DB)