Learning Disability Team - Community Services

• About Us

  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 closing with patients, families and carers:

  • Assistant Practitioners
  • Community Nurses and Support Workers
  • Consultant Psychiatrist (Nurse Led Clinic for individuals with challenging behaviour)
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physiotherapist (as part of the Complex Care Team)
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Administrative Support.

  We work closely with our North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS FoundationTrust colleagues within the department of Psychology.

  The Adult Learning Disability Service is currently based at:

  • Wigan Life Centre, Wigan
  • Leigh Sports Village, Leigh
  • Platt Bridge Health Centre, Wigan

  We are predominantly an adult service who supports adults with learning disabilities from the age of 18 years.

• Working with young people

  For those young people identified by the Local Authority as having specific educational and health needs, transition planning can begin at 14 years, or alternatively when the young person is in their penultimate year of school.

  For those young people who present with challenging behaviours, autism or forensic needs, nursing support can begin at 16 years to support transition.

• Expertise available to client and families/carers
  • Improving independence/mobility
  • Improving communication
  • Promoting personal wellbeing and self-care
  • Providing specialist nursing assessments
  • 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 servicesSpecialist psychological / functional / risk assessments for individuals with challenging behaviours
  • Proactive management of health needs: including individuals with complex physical health needs
  • Specialist input around Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and 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 Services
  • Local Authority and Education departments
  • Local providers
  • Local Acute Trusts
  • Other Bridgewater Health Services
  • Probation, Youth Offending Team, Criminal Justice Agencies
  • Patients, families and carers
  • The 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust
  • Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group
• Positive impact of our service

  Our aim is to work with patients to effect a reduction in health inequalities and behaviour, and to promote independence in all aspects of daily living.
  This is done by assessment and facilitation of needs. The assessment will inform the intervention required in order to have a positive impact on the patient’s area of need.
  Assessment is carried out by interviewing patients / parents (families) / carers / teachers. In addition direct observations are carried out usually in the home / school setting / place of day time occupation.
   

• 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 clinic

  Office 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 skills of adults (from 18 years), however, the service will also support young people as part of transition planning

  For young people who present with challenging behaviours, autism or forensic needs, nursing support can begin at 16 years to support transition.

  For those young people identified by the Local Authority as having specific educational and health needs, transition planning can begin at 14 years, or alternatively when the young person is in their penultimate year of school.

  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, by provision 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.

  If a need is identified for multidisciplinary working, then an onward referral (with agreement from the patient / family / carer) will be made within the service ensuring seamless support for the patient.

  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.

• Contact Information

  Service Referral Forms can be sent via email to: alwch.ldreferralswigan@nhs.net
  
  Telephone: 01942 483560