Training to help people with learning disabilities stay in the community

People who care for children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both can now access specialist training to help service users stay in the community.

The training helps carers ensure that personalised packages of support are in place to enable children and young people who are at risk of being admitted to hospital are able to stay in the community.

The training is available on Health Education England’s e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE eLfH) platform, alongside a range of other relevant subjects.

The carer’s role spans health, social care and education, and the programme provides workers across the country with a common set of core skills to ensure they can help children and young people with the most complex care needs.

E-Learning for Healthcare worked with community interest company, Pathways Associates, to co-produce the training with young people and their families. It will help carers chart the most beneficial path for their work and includes:

· Foundations for caring

· Human Rights Approaches

· Understanding the System

It is mandatory for all appointed carers to complete this programme as part of their induction, and they will also participate in local and national skills-based training programmes.

Professor Ashok Roy, clinical lead for the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Programme at HEE, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to launch this e-learning programme that will enhance the skills of children and young people’s carers.

‘By supporting people with the most complex needs, keyworkers will play a significant role in preventing admissions to mental health hospitals for this group of children and young people. The training will equip workers with knowledge which will ensure that their roles are effective.’

The Children and Young People’s keyworker programme is a four-year multi-million-pound investment by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

Pathways Associates is a community interest company that works to promote person-centred approaches and self-directed support. Their team of associates, who are mainly people with direct lived experience, have a wide collective experience of working with people with learning disabilities and autistic people and their families.

Click here for more information and to access the resource.

Photo Credit – Lara Far