Over half a million adult social care workers support people with a learning disability and/or autistic people in EnglandIt’s vital that adult social care workers have the right skills and knowledge to provide high quality, person-centred care and support.The Core Capabilities Framework for supporting people with a learning disability sets out the skills and knowledge that health and social care workers need to deliver high-quality care and support.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines can also help you plan support and identify what learning and development your workforce needs.
This guide helps employers to think about how they can develop their workforce to identify what carers need to understand about personal relationships and how they can create a workforce development programme.
This research report (published in December 2018) explores the adult social care workforce supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people, using data from the National Minimum Data Set for Social Care.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training for learning disability and/or autistic health and social care staff
Following Oliver McGowans death, in November 2019 the Government published 'Right to be heard' its response to the consultation on proposals for introducing mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and social care staff. The response included a commitment to develop a standardised training package that aims to make sure staff working in health and social care receive learning disability and autism training, at the right level for their role which Skills for Care and HEE are co-ordinating the development of.Trials and evaluationFor any enquiries please email us or HEE. Visit the Health Education England website to find out more about Oliver's campaign, the trial partners, what the training looks like, FAQs and stakeholder feedback.
Identifying workforce learning and development needs examples
These examples are based on real-life scenarios of people with a learning disability and/or autistic people, who display or are at risk of displaying behaviours which challenge.They're for adult social care commissioners and providers, to help you identify learning and development needs and plan support. you can use these examples to create your own plan for the person being supported. Download the 'Plan template' and 'How to use the examples overview' for further guidance.
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Carol (age 75) has a moderate learning disability and may be autistic (no formal diagnosis). She’s been living in a supported living setting for eight years. Her recent health issues have exhibited challenging behaviour for the service and doesn’t like seeing a doctor about it.
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Joe (age 12) has a learning disability, autism and sensory challenges. His behaviour can post a risk to himself. He’s currently in a 52 week long school programme which is far from his home.
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Paul (age 50) and Doreen (mother) Paul has autism with no diagnosis of a learning disability, which can affect his temper and mental health. Doreen, supports him at home however her health is deteriorating and she’s worried about how Paul will cope without her.
Further information
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There's lots of work happening, nationally and locally, to develop and support the learning disability and/or autism workforce.
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Skills for Care expert group
We facilitate an 'expert group of people with a learning disability and autistic people' to make sure the resources meet sector needs, find out more about what the group is working on, and how to get involved.