Community Learning Disability Team
“Working together to provide specialist support for people with learning disabilities”
We are a multidisciplinary team based at locations across the Wigan borough aiming to provide a seamless, person centered service to adults and young people with a learning disability.
We are made up of the following disciplines and will work closely with patients, families and carers:
Assistant Practitioners
Community Nurses and support workers
Consultant Psychiatrist (Clinic for individuals with challenging behaviour)
Occupational Therapists
Physiotherapists
Speech and Language Therapists
Administrative Support.
We work closely with our GMMH - Greater Manchester Mental Health colleagues within the department of Psychology.
The Learning Disability Service is currently based at:
Pemberton Health Centre, Wigan
Leigh Town Hall, Leigh
Hindley Town Hall, Hindley
We are predominantly an adult service who supports adults with a diagnosed learning disability from the age of 18 years or from 4 years old if presenting with challenging behaviours.
We are avaliable Monday - Friday 9am-5pm on: 0300 707 1345.
- Working with young people
Support children between the ages of 4 to 16 years, who present with behavioural needs and have a diagnosed learning disability.
Children identified via SEND with a diagnosed learning disability can be referred from the age of 16 to 18 (dependant on needs) to commence transition planning work, to help facilitate a smooth transition, from the children's services to adult services.
- Expertise available to client and families/carers
Expert knowledge in the following aspects can be accessed:
Improving independence/mobility
Improving communication
Promoting personal wellbeing and self-care
Providing specialist nursing/therapy assessments and training.
Aiding and coordinating access into adult services from education
Specialist assessment for eating and drinking difficulties
Addressing sensory needs
Providing equipment / recommending appropriate equipment
Facilitating pathways in Acute hospitals /Primary Care/Mental Health services/ Specialist psychological / functional / risk assessments for individuals with challenging behaviours
Proactive management of health needs: including individuals with complex physical health needs
Provide support for Forensic needs
Providing routine monitoring for signs of early ageing conditions - Our partners
We aim to form a partnership with patients, families and professionals to support patients to maximize their self-care potential.
We work closely with:
Adult Social Care
Children’s Social Care
Local Authority and Education departments
Local providers
Local Acute Trusts
Probation, Youth Offending Team, Criminal Justice Agencies
Patients, families and carers
ICB - Intergrated Care Board
GMMH – Greater Manchester Mental Health servies (including Psychology, CAMHS – Children Adolescent Mental Health services, IST – Intensive Support Team)
Primary Care
- Positive impact of our service
We work with patients and carers to reduce health inequalities and behaviours of concern. We also work to promote health and independence in all aspects of daily living.
This is done by assessment and facilitation of individual needs. The assessment will inform the intervention required in order to have a positive impact on the patient’s area of need.
We aim to reduce hospital admissions, acute and mental health, reduce the need for out of borough placements, ensure access to equitable health care, promote independent management of health and keep people healthy and supported in their local communities.
- What clients' families/carers can expect
We will arrange to see you at a place convenient to yourself such as:
Your home
Your work place/where you spend your day
A local clinicOffice hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, but we can be flexible and see you between 8am and 6pm if required.
Our aim is to provide a high quality, holistic, needs led service, focusing on health, behaviour, communication and development of independence of adults (from 18 years). However, the service will also support young people as part of transition planning. The service will also work with children from the age of 4 who present with challenging behaviours.
The Service works in close collaboration with families and carers to manage health and behavioural issues in the home environment, community and other relevant settings.
Support offered will assist in reducing risks, including health and behavioural risks to the patient and to the family / carers. This is done via provsion of patient specific recommendations and management plans including support around communication and development of independent living skills.
- Moving on - transitions and discharge
Once a referral is received, an assessment will be carried out and intervention will be agreed with the patient/family/carer.
The patient, family/carer are fully involved with the care that is provided by the professionals ensuring that each element of the patients’ needs are addressed.
The patient and the family/carers are fully involved in discharge planning. Referrals or signposting to other services, or the provision of patient specific training will be in place before any agreed discharge.
- Referral System
How to refer:
Service Referral Form can be sent via email to: wwl-tr.ldreferralswigan@nhs.netMonday - Friday 9am-5pm on: 0300 707 1345.
- Who to contact if you have any questions or are unhappy?
Duty Line - Monday - Friday 9am-5pm on: 0300 707 1345.
PALS - Patient Advice and Liason service
email: paitent.relations@wwl.nhs.uk
Number: 01942 822 376
Wigan and Leigh carers centre
Number: 01942 697 885
