Community Learning Disability Team
Your local team is committed to improving the quality of life of adults with a learning disability. It is made up of a wide range of health professionals who provide specialist assessment, advice, treatment and support services for adults with a learning disability and their carers. Community nurses in the team also provide services for children with a learning disability. The team meets regularly to share information and co-ordinate comprehensive ‘care packages’ for individual clients. The team works collaboratively with other health care services, social work, voluntary services and others. Confidentiality is respected at all times
What is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is a significant, lifelong condition which has three facets:
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reduced ability to understand new or complex information or to learn new skills.
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reduced ability to cope independently.
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a condition which started before adulthood (before the age of 18) with a lasting effect on the individual’s development. In essence, this means an IQ below 70.
Who is in the Team?
Community Nursing - offers assessment, advice and support on many healthcare issues including epilepsy, mental health and behavioural problems. They work directly with children or adults and/or through carers.
Clinical Psychology - provides help for adults in the areas of learning, thinking, emotions and behaviour. They provide assessment of cognitive and social functioning and specialist services dealing with forensic issues, dementia, sexual abuse and parents with a learning disability. They use a variety of treatment models including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Psychiatry - offers assessment and treatment of mental illness, behavioural problems and the provision of clinics for clients with epilepsy. Referrals must come through the client’s GP.
Occupational Therapy - offers assessment and treatment in the areas of personal, domestic, leisure, work and community living skills and environmental and equipment needs.
Physiotherapy - offers advice, training and direct treatment to clients and carers on physical problems including positioning, walking, wheelchairs, specialist seating and orthotics. They also provide an emergency chest care service.
Speech & Language Therapy – offers assessment, treatment, advice, training and resources to help with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing.
Dietetics - offers assessment and monitoring of nutritional status, advice on dietary modifications including the promotion of healthy eating and gastrostomy feeding.
Art Therapy - helps individuals, through the use of art materials, to find an outlet for complex and difficult emotions and encourage self-awareness and growth.
Getting Team Services
Referrals are accepted from all sources (other than referrals for psychiatry which must come through the person’s GP). For further information or to make a referral please contact: