Help for Carers > Different caring situations > Caring for someone with a learning difficulty

Caring for someone with a learning difficulty

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:

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

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

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 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. At the time of writing, the website was still under construction so the guides are not yet available online. www.southern-railway.com Speak to your local train operator for more details.

"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.

Help wanted
Helen McGrath-Doherty is compiling a publication for parents and professionals which is intended to be a practical, easy to use, problem-solving guide of suggestions and tips for parents, carers and professionals encountering day to day issues. This compilation is part of a new learning disabilities charity being set up by Linda Goldberg and Deborah Gundle. All contributors who ideas are original and published in the book will be sent a complimentary copy. Email suggestions to helen@specialneedshandbook.com

The Association for Real Change are undertaking a three year project to develop a web-based knowledge centre on mental health for people with a learning difficulty. It is for families, carers and front line social care staff and aims to provide clear and accessible information and resources on mental health in learning disability, including what is, and how to promote, positive mental health, the differences between emotional distress and learning disability and specific issues such as bipolar disorder, dementia and depression. For more information visit www.clearthoughts.info

You can get more information about learning difficulties and learning disabilities from:

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.mencap.org.uk - national voluntary organisation working with people with learning disabilities, their carers and families
www.learningdisabilities.org.uk - Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities aims to promote the rights of people with learning disabilities. Website contains much information including downloadable leaflets on a range of issues.
www.bild.org.uk - British Institute of Learning Disabilities carries out policy and research, training, and produces publications and information
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. The Big Bridge has been created with support from the LDDF Partnership Board and is managed by Outreach 3 Way, the learning disability charity.

Diagnosed conditions

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

Dyslexia
Cerebral Palsy
Down's Syndrome
Hydrocephalus
Spina Bifida

You can get more information about these conditions from:

www.scope.org.uk - Scope is a national disability organisation focused on people with cerebral palsy. Runs local services and support
www.sasbah.org.uk Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus which provides local services and support
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk - Down's Syndrome Association, helping people with Down's Syndrome to live full and rewarding lives.
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

There are people who can help:

Community Team for People with Learning Difficulties is a specialist multi-disciplinary team providing a co-ordinated service for people over 14 years with severe learning difficulties and which 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 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:

For the Chichester area:
72 Stockbridge Road, Chichester PO19 2QJ
Tel: 01243 781421
Fax: 01243 783919
linda.saunders@swdnhst.thenhs.com
For the Worthing area:
1 St Georges Road, Worthing BN11 2DS
Tel: 01903 843350
Fax: 01903 843351
For Horsham and Crawley:
Martyn Long Centre, 78 Crawley Road, Horsham RH12 4HN
Tel: 01403 225100
Fax: 01403 225143

West Sussex Carers Support Services

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