View in web browser

Workforce update for

services that support people with a learning disability and/or autistic people

Welcome to this month's newsletter for adult social care services that support people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We're sharing the latest news, resources, events and funding opportunities from Skills for Care and partners.

We'll be covering the following areas in this newsletter:

• News from Skills for Care
• Guidance and news from the Government, regulators, and advisory bodies
• News from the sector
• Get involved

News from Skills for Care

Personalised workforce training and development 

We are running two workshops where we will discuss how personalised workforce training and development, which involves a wide range of care professionals and family members, can improve outcomes for people drawing on services. 

The workshops will be held on Monday 2 December, 14:00 - 16:00 and Tuesday 10 December, 10:00 - 12:00. If you're interested in attending either session, please email innovation@skillsforcare.org.uk.  

Workforce strategy for adult social care campaign

During September our ‘Driving change in social care’ campaign has been focusing on the Workforce Strategy, giving insights on how it can help organisations recruit, retain, and develop staff, and support transformation across adult social care. 

In blogs and features we’ve heard about a wellbeing project tackling harassment in East Sussex, the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard supporting retention, and how the strategy might impact young people. Visit our Driving change in social care webpage to see some of our new and existing resources that help support the Strategy's recommendations.

National Mental Capacity Forum Annual Report 2022-2023

The Ministry of Justice have published their National Mental Capacity Forum (NMCF) Annual Report 2022-2023. In it, they report that, “in 2023, individuals who are subject to the provisions of the Act, their relatives and professionals are witnessing the Mental Capacity Act’s networked systems facing potential collapse.”

⇨ Read the report for further insights and recommendations 

To receive details of upcoming NMCF events, sign up to their mailing list by emailing NMCF1@Justice.gov.uk, including the word ‘subscribe’ in the subject line.

News from the sector 

Sensory processing podcast

Autism Central have launched a new podcast, bringing together autistic people, parents, carers and professionals. The first series focuses on sensory processing and is hosted by Holly Sprake-Hill, a neurodivergent occupational therapist. Learn more about sensory processing and the differences that autistic people can experience.

⇨ Listen to the podcast

Supporting people with learning disabilities to rent 

The National Institute for Health Research and the School for Social Care Research has funded the ‘Supporting people with learning disabilities to rent their own place’ project. The project is looking at how support can be improved to help people with learning disabilities to both access and enjoy living in their own tenancies. 

⇨ Find findings from the first part of the research

Specialist learning disability physiotherapist animation

A new animation from the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists for People with a Learning Disability (ACPPLD) explores the role of the specialist learning disability physiotherapist. 

Most people with a learning disability can access mainstream physiotherapy services with reasonable adjustments. But some may need support that goes beyond what is possible and reasonable. This is where a specialist learning disability physiotherapist can help by:

• making specialist adjustments 
• using specialist equipment and treatments
• seeing people in an environment where they are comfortable
• using their experience working with people with adaptive communication needs and unexpected behaviours.

⇨ Watch the animation

Supporting people who are neurodiverse

Genius Within is an organisation who offer support to people who are neurodiverse. This is provided from qualified occupational psychologists and coaches. They provide advice and guidance as well as offering coaching to help neurodiverse people who are experiencing challenges with employment or with studying. 

They also provide support and guidance to employers, to look at what reasonable adjustments can be considered within the workplace environment, as well as specialised awareness training.

⇨ Find more information from Genius Within

PBS survey 

Researchers from the University of South Wales are exploring Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) services in the UK. They want professionals working in the UK, who currently use PBS to support people with learning disabilities (or oversee other individuals who have this kind of role) to complete a brief online survey about their experiences of PBS. The research is part of a project which aims to better understand PBS practitioners' needs. 
 
The survey can be completed anonymously and should take about 20 minutes to complete. 

⇨ Complete the survey

Using art to talk about end of life

No Barriers Here is a unique approach to help support care planning discussions for people with learning disabilities. It is a collaboration between Mary Stevens Hospice, Dudley Voices for Choices and Jed Jerwood, an Art Psychotherapist. They have used arts and crafts to support people with learning disabilities to talk about end of life. 

⇨ Watch their video to find out more  

New MindED e-learning

Free e-learning on stopping the over medication of people with a learning disability and autistic people has been made available on the NHS MindEd platform. The e-learning is for people with a learning disability and autistic people, carers, family members and healthcare professionals.

⇨ Access the e-learning

DNACPR information

Learning Disability England and Turning Point have produced a free online information pack which focuses on Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) recommendations for people with a learning disability. 

⇨ Access the information pack

Easy read guide to prediabetes

An easy read guide has been produced to explain the condition prediabetes (when blood sugars are higher than usual), the associated risks of developing Type 2 diabetes and how to minimise these. The guide has been produced by Camden Learning Disabilities Service.

⇨ See the prediabetes guide

Get involved

Advocacy Awareness Week

Advocacy Awareness Week is Monday 14 to Friday 18 October 2024. This year, the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) are celebrating the impact of advocacy, the difference that advocacy can make and how advocacy can create changes in people's lives. They will be hosting webinars and sharing resources to help people with evidencing the impact of advocacy.

⇨ Find out more

Find previous editions of this newsletter |  Sign up to other Skills for Care newsletters

Skills for Care Ltd, West Gate, Grace Street, Leeds, LS1 2RP

Registered company no. 3866683. Registered in England

Registered charity no. 1079836. Group VAT no 135 5383 15

Unsubscribe or change your email communication preferences