Workforce update for 
 services that support people 
 with a learning disability 
 and/or autistic people 

Welcome to this workforce development update for adult social care services that support people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. It shares the latest news, resources, events and funding opportunities from Skills for Care and partners.

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 News from Skills for Care 

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in learning disability and autism
On Wednesday 29 June the independent evaluation report for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training trial was published. Full text and easy read versions are on the Health Education England (HEE) webpage. New FAQs are now live on their webpage which you can find by scrolling down to the ‘What Happens Next’ section.

On Friday 1 July the new requirement for CQC registered providers to ensure their staff have training on learning disability and autism came into force.

The commencement order for the Health and Care Act 2022 (which enables provisions of the Act to come into force) is available here. The reference to mandatory training on learning disability and autism training is set out in the Schedule here (section 181).

The section of the Health and Care Act that outlines the requirement for mandatory training on learning disability and autism (and the associated Code of Practice) is here.

The CQC have updated their statutory guidance in relation to Regulation 18 (Staffing) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. It can be viewed here.

CQC have also written a news bulletin here.
Commissioning for a meaningful life, not just a service
The Principles of Commissioning for Wellbeing level 5 qualification is centred around personalised and outcome focused approaches to commissioning. The qualification is suitable for social care and health staff involved in planning and arranging care, at both strategic and operational levels. There is a specific version of this qualification which has been contextualised for commissioning learning disability and autism provision. 

Course content, delivered by Hasca and BCE, covers a range of knowledge and its application to commissioning practice. Content is regularly updated and so is currently contextualised in terms of plans for social care reform and the establishment of ICSs and provider collaboratives etc. On completion, learners will understand:
  • the importance of co-production and wellbeing at every stage of the commissioning cycle
  • how to design innovative care and support
  • application of knowledge regarding the market, legislative requirements and population needs
  • effective practice in outcome-focused commissioning
  • how to support services to improve
  • commissioning within multi-partner systems. 
For more information about this qualification, including to secure your place, please visit the webpage on the Skills for Care website.
Commissioning guidance
Skills for Care has worked with partners and people with lived experience of learning disability and/or autism to produce:

Both guidance documents offer a cross-system framework for personalised and effective commissioning practice across social care, health, adults’ and children’s services.

We would be very keen to hear from commissioners or providers who have had experience of using our guidance, or learning from the qualification, to inform and develop their practice. Please contact us at policy@skillsforcare.org.uk.
 Guidance and resources from the 
 Government, regulators and 
 advisory bodies 

Learning from Lives and Deaths (LeDeR) report
The sixth annual ‘Learning from lives and deaths – People with a learning disability and autistic people’ report was published by King’s College London on Thursday 14 July, alongside an easy read version. It found that:
  1. People with a learning disability continue to have a much shorter life expectancy than the wider general public, with 6 out 10 dying before age 65, compared to 1 out of 10 for people from the general population.
  2. Those with epilepsy and from minority ethnic backgrounds were more likely to die younger.
  3. The most common cause of death during 2021 was COVID-19. The estimated excess deaths during 2021 compared to pre-pandemic years was double that of the general population.
  4. Being vaccinated reduced the likelihood of dying of COVID-19.
  5. Approximately half of all deaths of people with a learning disability was deemed to be avoidable, this compares to less than a quarter for people from the general population.
NHS England has also published their fourth annual LeDeR ‘Action from learning’ report alongside an easy read version. It describes some of the work being undertaken across the country by the NHS to reduce health inequalities and premature mortality amongst people with a learning disability.

If you would like to get in touch regarding this work, please contact england.lederprogramme@nhs.net
Building the Right Support (BTRS): action plan
This action plan is the latest from the Department of Health and Social Care, reaffirming its commitment to providing the right community support for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. The plan references Skills for Care’s recently published learning disability commissioning guidance.

⇨ Find the action plan and an easy read version
⇨ Access a supporting independent BTRS report and funding flows analysis and an easy read version

Local Government Association (LGA): One year on webinar
On 12 May 2022 the LGA held a webinar focusing on their National Strategy for Autistic People, Children and Young People 2021 to 2026.

⇨ View the presentations and watch the webinar

Improving the quality of life: Frameworks
1. Good Lives: Building Change Together
This in-development, co-produced framework is hosted by Learning Disability England. Produced by people with lived experience, it brings together thoughts and ideas about what it will take for everyone with learning disabilities to be able to live their good life, including good support and advocacy.

2. Supporting adults with a learning disability to have better lives framework
The Local Government Association (LGA) have created an Easy Read summary for the ‘Supporting adults with a learning disability to have better lives’ framework. There is a small amount of funding to help councils to self-evaluate. Contact chip@local.gov.uk for more information.

3. Draft quality of life framework
This draft framework, developed by CQC and the PBS Academy, talks about delivering support that maximises the quality of life for people with learning disabilities experiencing emotional distress.
 News and events from the sector 

Bild blog and resource: What does good PBS look like?
Professor Edwin Jones, Bild PBS Strategic Lead, has written a blog on co-production in PBS, introducing a new resource created with the PBS Alliance.

⇨ Access the ‘What does good PBS look like now’ resource
Bild blog: How can transitions and person-centred planning change people’s lives for the better?
This blog from Kate Brackley at Bild talks about her experience of transition and the importance of person-centred planning.
Personal assistants survey results published
TLAP and the Local Government Association (LGA) published the results of a survey exploring the recruitment and retention of personal assistants during the pandemic (March 2020-January 2022). Participants reported that PA recruitment has got harder, both in terms of a shortage of applicants and their suitability for the work.

⇨ Download the report
Eye care pathway for people with learning disabilities
Seeability have been working with local eye care services to improve access for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. These areas now offer a new eye care pathway, which means longer appointments with opticians who have had additional training on supporting people with learning disabilities, including using easy read information and being able to test people who find it hard to talk. These pathways are in London Borough of Sutton, Durham and parts of the North West of England.

They now want to set up the pathway across the whole of England. They have funding to work in London and they want to hear from:
  • people with learning disabilities and autistic people
  • advocacy groups for people with learning disabilities or autistic people
  • optical professionals and Local Optical Committees
  • commissioners of eye care services.
⇨ Find out how to get involved

Not in London? You can ask Seeability to give on-line or face to face presentations to staff teams, advocacy groups, carers and professionals, including student learning disability nurses.

Bild GOLD Ageing Well Conference 2022
This will take place in Birmingham and will also be online on Friday 30 September 2022. This year's conference presentations and workshops will explore practical ways to support people to achieve the good quality health and care they are entitled to and other issues related to supporting people throughout their lifespan such as end of life pathway and loneliness and isolation.

⇨ Register you place
 Get involved 



Call for evidence for down syndrome statutory guidance
The Down Syndrome Act passed earlier this year requires relevant authorities across public services, including social care, to take account of Government guidance on providing services for people with Down Syndrome. The call for evidence will inform the development of this guidance. The consultation closes on the Tuesday 8 November 2022.
⇨ Get involved with the consultation
⇨ Find the consultation in easy read
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