Learning Disability JSNA

Summary

Access to healthcare needs to improve to ensure physical health needs are met in a timely manner and barriers to access are addressed.

Improve healthcare access by increasing the uptake of Health Action plans, annual health checks and screening. Improving healthcare access will create opportunities to tackle obesity, diabetes and respiratory problems.
Improvements in identification and diagnosis should be Borough-wide, with the knowledge that those in areas of high deprivation and those with parents with lower qualification levels may need more extensive support. Community and educational setting support should acknowledge the challenges faced by families in navigating systems and accessing timely diagnosis.

Social inclusion and networking for those with learning disabilities and a reduction of stigma within the community.

Improve social inclusion for those with learning disabilities.
Create opportunities to support the participation in sport and leisure activities.
Improve social isolation to allow for opportunities to keep in touch and meet with friends.
Create opportunities to actively contribute to events within the local community.

There is a widening employment gap between those with learning disabilities and the general population.

Investment in supported employment programmes, vocational training and employer engagement to reverse the widening employment gap between those who are in receipt of long term support for a learning disability (aged 18 to 64) and the overall employment rate.
Provide information to individuals, before they leave education, for informed decision making about future employment options. Provide support for a fixed-period after leaving education to assist those looking for voluntary or paid work.
Support to employers should be provided using recommendations from the Learning Disability Employment Programme which includes resources for inclusive hiring practices, job coaching, tailored support and supported internships to promote inclusive recruitment and workplace adjustment.
Staff within existing services should be trained and/or upskilled to provide support to service users looking for work and within work.

There should be supportive services for those with learning disabilities including for mental health and safeguarding.

The development of integrated care pathways that provide holistic support across health and social care systems to identify and support individuals with learning disabilities at risk.
Staff within Hartlepool’s existing services should be upskilled to identify and support mental health need and safeguarding concerns within this group.