Learning Disabilities

All Age Learning Disability Strategy 2016-2020

This strategy aims to address inequalities in society that are often faced by people with learning disabilities and identified following reviews conducted by MENCAP in 2007 and 2012 and Winterbourne View.

This strategy contributes to the wider Wirral Plan which has been developed between all key public sector partners in Wirral and sets out a commitment to work together over the next four years and beyond to achieve 20 pledges for 2020, one of which is to support more people with disabilities to increase their independence and gain access to work, education and volunteering.

Our aim is to develop a future model for health and social care based on the principles of person centred care and the promotion of independence and social inclusion. We will work closely together to consider how we best use our resources, and most importantly offer the best services to the population we serve. You can read the strategy below:

Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND)

A new system for supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their parents, came into effect (SEND guides and information). 

The new system aims to ensure that any support your child gets, from their school or other setting, such as their nursery or childminder, should meet their needs, these also include health needs.

The Local Offer has been developed by Wirral Council and Community Action Wirral and has been informed through a partnership approach with a number of other organisations.

The Local Offer sets out in one place information about provision across education, health and social care to support children and young people with SEND.

You can access the Local Offer here. http://localofferwirral.org/

 

Stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both (STOMP)

STOMP stands for stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both with psychotropic medicines. It is a national project involving many different organisations which are helping to stop the over use of these medicines.  STOMP is about helping people to stay well and have a good quality of life.

Psychotropic medicines affect how the brain works and include medicines for psychosis, depression, anxiety, sleep problems and epilepsy. Sometimes they are also given to people because their behaviour is seen as challenging.

People with a learning disability, autism or both are more likely to be given these medicines than other people.

These medicines are right for some people. They can help people stay safe and well. Sometimes there are other ways of helping people so they need less medicine or none at all.

It is not safe to change the dose of these medicines or stop taking them without help from a doctor.

The aims of STOMP are to:

• encourage people to have regular check-ups about their medicines
• make sure doctors and other health professionals involve people, families and support staff in decisions about medicines
• inform everyone about non-drug therapies and practical ways of supporting people so they are less likely to need as much medicine, if any.

Download the Easy Read leaflet