Treatment and support for adults who have a learning disability and complex physical or mental health needs that cannot be met by other local NHS services.
Go to the Community Learning Disability Teams service page: Go to serviceCommunity-based support for adults who have a learning disability and are at risk of admission, or are currently admitted, into a psychiatric hospital.
Go to serviceInpatient care for adults who have a learning disability and mental health needs or behaviour that puts them or others at significant risk of harm.
Go to serviceOur CAMHS Learning Disability Service can help make sure that children and young people with a learning disability, who also have a mental health condition, can get the help and support they need.
Go to serviceOur CAMHS Learning Disability Service can help make sure that children and young people with a learning disability, who also have a mental health condition, can get the help and support they need.
Our teams have a range of healthcare professionals who have different disciplines, which means they have special knowledge about a particular area of healthcare. They work together to provide assessments, advice, and therapies to help you stay healthy and well.
You might see:
We also work closely with other services you are accessing, such as your GP, school, housing provider, social care, day centres, advocacy and respite services, voluntary services, and other healthcare services you are accessing.
People with a learning disability can face unique challenges when it comes to accessing and understanding cervical screening, so may need more support.
Read our advicePeople with a learning disability are at higher risk of constipation than others, and communication problems can mean it is difficult for the people who support them to spot it and get treatment.
Read our advicePeople with a learning disability may not always be able to communicate when they feel unwell, so it's vital to recognise early signs of deterioration.
Read our adviceVulnerable people with health problems should take extra care to keep well as they may be more likely than others to become seriously ill.
Read our adviceMedication, communication problems, and health conditions can make someone with a learning disability more vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Read our adviceA person has a learning disability when their ability to learn new things (intelligence) and cope independently (social functioning) is reduced by a large amount compared to most other people’s abilities. Learning disabilities start before adulthood and have a lasting effect on development.
Problems with intelligence or social functioning which start later in life due to ageing, illness, or injury, are not learning disabilities.
It’s also important to know that a learning disability is not the same as a learning difficulty (like dyslexia). A learning difficulty affects specific areas of learning, but a learning disability affects overall intellectual ability.
A learning disability is usually caused by something that affects brain development before birth, during birth, or in early childhood. In many cases, the exact cause is unknown, but common factors can include:
Conditions like cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism are more common in people with a learning disability.
Specialist health support is care that cannot be provided by mainstream health services because extra skills, knowledge, or equipment are needed to give the right help.
Common signs of constipation include not eating much or at all, frequently touching their anus, or signs of streaking on underwear or pads.
People with a learning disability are at higher risk of constipation and if left untreated it can cause serious problems.
Did you get great care? Having your say helps care for everyone, so please give us your feedback
Share your feedback: Have your sayVisit your local council's website to find out about support they provide for adults with a learning disability.
