Learning disabilities
If you have a learning disability you may need help with learning and remembering things. You may also need support to communicate and do everyday tasks. The Council provides a range of services and help for people with a learning disability. We also aim to help those who support you (known as carers).
Help and advice
A Social Worker or an Occupational Therapist can discuss your situation with you and assess your needs. Social Workers and Occupational Therapists are highly trained professionals who are skilled in identifying physical, psychological, practical, and social needs. They can work with you and your carers to find ways of reducing your problems and meeting your needs.
If you need someone to act on your behalf, you can appoint an advocate. An advocate is someone who can support or represent you when dealing with everyday problems or in times of crisis.
Advocates can offer you support and information on how you can access your rights.
Advocacy for people with learning disabilities
A Citizen Advocate can help you and act on your behalf, especially when you need to deal with official matters or big organisations. Mencap is setting up self-advocacy groups to help people with learning disabilities to speak up for themselves but there are Citizen Advocacy organisations:
Council services
Information and advice
We can tell you about the help available and can put you in touch with other organisations that may be able to help you.
Services available include:
- Day Services are provided for people who need support during the day.
- Supported Living - Skilled staff provide support to adults with learning disabilities to help them live in accommodation suited to their needs. The levels of support are tailored to individual needs and range from 24 hour waking staff to staff visiting people in their own homes for a few hours each week.
- Family Based Care Services. The service provides clients, both Adult and Older People with day care, short stay or longer term care in the home of an approved Carer or within the user’s own home.
- Home Care. Care in people's own homes is offered to people who require assistance, it may be with personal care such as washing or dressing, or other practical daily tasks such as help with domestic chores like cooking and cleaning, or help in managing finances.
For more information and advice please contact your local Social Services Access Team.
Services offered by other organisations
Health
Services
The Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS
Trust provides for the specialist health needs of people with
learning disabilities. This includes services from specialist
doctors, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech
therapists, and physiotherapists. The general health needs of
people with learning disabilities are met by family doctors and
general hospitals, in the same way as for anyone else.
Accommodation
We work closely with District Housing Departments and other housing
providers in Cheshire to try to ensure that people with learning
disabilities get accommodation that is right for them. For more
information contact your local Social Services Access Team.
Help and advice about
money matters
Most financial benefits and allowances are available from The
Department
of Work and Pensions who can give advice on benefits. Citizens
Advice Bureaux also provide advice on money matters.
Private Nursing and
Care Agencies
For a fee, private care and nursing agencies will provide skilled
carers or qualified nurses to individuals requiring nursing or care
either at home, or in supported living environments. The care may
be for a 24 hour period, for short or long term illnesses or for
holiday relief. Names of agencies can be obtained from Yellow
Pages and the Council's Information Points on 0845 11 333
11.
Social groups,
sports, and other events for people with learning
disabilities
There are different opportunities in different parts of the area.
We may be able to advise on what is locally available in your area,
contact your local Social Services Access Team.
Abuse
- The Ann Craft Trust is a UK organisation protecting people with Learning Disabilities from abuse.
- Voice UK is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities who have experienced crime or abuse.
Government Services
- DirectGov is a website offering links to information about Government service
Further information
Please contact your local Social Services Access Team and tell them about your needs.
If the Access Team thinks that Social Services may be able to help you they will put you in touch with someone, probably a Social Worker, who will assess your needs and work with you to deal with them. They will be able to discuss the help available, and link you with services and resources to help you. Your carers may be entitled to an assessment of their own needs too.
Social Services provides a broad range of services for people with learning disabilities, with priority given to those with the greatest needs. Where possible we will offer you choices and help you choose the best options for your situation.
We work closely with Health Services and with other public, private, and voluntary agencies, and may suggest involving other agencies to ensure that your needs are met.
We will need to keep some records of our contacts with you, but these will be kept confidential. You have a legal right to see records kept about you.