Learning difficulties

You are not alone
Studies show that about 0.6% of people in the UK have learning difficulties; of whom almost all the children and about two thirds of the adults live with their families.
As a carer of someone with a learning difficulty or disability some of the things you may be concerned about will include:

their physical safety
how well they can communicate with others
how best to help them towards becoming as independent as possible

Resource to ensure family carers are involved in important decision-making (added 23.7.12)
This new resource from Mencap is aimed primarily at families of a person with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). It informs parents of their rights and gives practical suggestions on how to ensure that they and their family member are involved in decisions. Read more at: www.homecare.co.uk

New guide launched to help family carers better understand NHS Continuing Health Care (added 25.6.12)
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities has launched a new guide on NHS Continuing Healthcare for family carers of people with learning disabilities. NHS Continuing Healthcare is the name for a complete package of health and social care that is paid for by the NHS. It is available for people who have been assessed to have a “primary health need”. The booklet provides practical information about what exactly NHS Continuing Healthcare is, how people are assessed for it and how decisions are made. The booklet will be available on: www.learningdisabilities.org.uk

Real tips from real carers (added 10.4.12)
Netbuddy has been working with NHS Carers Direct to pass on practical advice, tips and ideas from carers of people with learning disabilities to other carers. Real tips from real carers is a tool offering a selection of tips submitted by carers under four separate headings: Communication, Health care, Personal hygiene, Behaviour and routine. Read more at: www.nhs.uk

Help for rail passengers with learning difficulties (added 11.7.11)
Train operator Southern has introduced guides for passengers with learning difficulties. The first is an Easy Read Accessibility Guide which explains how to use the Southern’s rail services in simple, easy to understand language with pictures to illustrate each point. The second is a Travel Support Card, a pocket-sized card with details of the holder’s home station, where they travel to and from, a section which can be pre-written, stating how staff can help them, and useful contact numbers. Download these from www.southern-railway.com

Using the Mental Capacity Act (added 20.9.11)
This resource is designed to help families and friends of people with learning difficulties understand how the Mental Capacity Act applies to them. The 55 page document can be downloaded from www.hft.org.uk

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation's tips for family carers of adults with severe learning disabilities (added 19.7.11)
The CBF has produced an information sheet of ten top tips for families carers on ensuring good support and services for adults with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging. The sheet has been written for family carers whose relative has severe learning disabilities and whose behaviour is described as challenging. Download the free information sheet from www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk

"You and Eye" - online film about eye care and people with learning disabilities (added 4.1.11)
This film is in 5 different parts:

Part 1 - People with learning disabilities talk about why eye care is important.
Part 2 - This section shows what happens when you have an eye test.
Part 3 - Greg has cataracts. This section follows Greg as he finds out more about his eye problem.
Part 4 - How important it is to get help for people who have eye sight problems.
Part 5 - The film ends with important messages about eye care and eye tests.

Watch the film online at www.lookupinfo.org and click on the part you want to watch and it will load for you.

You and Eye Booklet
There is a book that goes with this film. The booklet can be downloaded or printed and includes information and eye care forms that you can use. If you want a copy of this film on DVD please contact Seeability by emailing t.reid@seeability.org or phone 01372 755066.

Diagnosed conditions

Diagnosed conditions which might be associated with the person you care for include:

Cerebral Palsy
Down's Syndrome
Dyslexia
Hydrocephalus
Spina Bifida

You can get more information from:

www.bdadyslexia.org.uk - British Dyslexia Association website.

www.clearthoughts.info - website for people who have a learning disability, their families and carers, and professionals and those supporting people and families. The site aims to cover lots of topics relating to mental health for people who have a learning disability.

www.downs-syndrome.org.uk - Down's Syndrome Association, helping people with Down's Syndrome to live full and rewarding lives.

www.learningdisabilities.org.uk - Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities aims to promote the rights of people with learning disabilities. The website contains much information including downloadable leaflets on a range of issues.

www.mencap.org.uk - national voluntary organisation working with people with learning disabilities, their carers and families. They can also help with writing wills and setting up trusts for a person with learning difficulties.

www.netbuddy.org.uk - online resource for parents, carers and professionals, with practical tips and suggestions on a range of issues, from coping with challenging behaviour to rewards and routines.

www.thebigbridge.org - website for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, and social care professionals working in West Sussex. It offers practical, local information and signposting to services and support.

There are people who can help:

Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities is a specialist multi-disciplinary Community Team for people with learning difficulties which aims to provide a co-ordinated service for people over 14 with severe learning difficulties and brings together people from the following professions:

community learning disability nursing
speech and language therapy
social work
psychiatry
clinical psychology
occupational therapy
physiotherapy

Information about the Community Team for People with Learning Difficulties can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk

Professionals offer an assessment of an assessment of needs of the person with the learning difficulty and their carers and help identify services and support to meet those needs. Professional services include skills training, counselling, advocacy, management of physical and mobility needs, help in addressing emotional, relationship and behavioural difficulties and provision of information. The team offers a specialist service, supporting individuals and carers over a range of problems.

Carers can contact the West Sussex Community Teams direct:

Chichester area:
72 Stockbridge Road, Chichester PO19 2QJ
Tel: 01243 781421
Fax: 01243 783919
linda.saunders@swdnhst.thenhs.com

Worthing area:
1 St Georges Road, Worthing BN11 2DS
Tel: 01903 843350
Fax: 01903 843351

Horsham and Crawley area:
Martyn Long Centre, 78 Crawley Road, Horsham RH12 4HN
Tel: 01403 225100
Fax: 01403 225143

West Sussex Carers Support Services

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