Learning Disability Nurses
Learning disability nurses improve the well-being and social inclusion of people with a learning disability.
Learning disability nurses improve the well-being and social inclusion of people with a learning disability. They also offer help and support to their family and carers.
This can include:
- improving or maintaining a person’s physical and mental health
- reducing barriers to them living an independent life
- supporting the person in living a fulfilling life.
Learning disability nurses may also help people to learn the skills needed to find work. This can be significant in helping them to lead a more independent and healthy life where they can relate to others on equal terms.
Penny Millington is a Queen’s Nurse who works for a Learning Disability Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. She describes her role:
‘I work with children and young people who have a severe learning disability, helping them and their families achieve a better quality of life. My work involves liaising with the child/young person’s entire support network, to help them improve their social and emotional health and wellbeing. The work has many different aspects, and the interaction with each young person and their family is different depending on need.
‘I gain information to reduce behavioural difficulties, and give guidance, which I model through direct work with the child to help improve their mental health. Families can access the service directly, by referral from other agencies, an open door drop-in service, and parenting groups. I need to work flexibly to fit in with the lives of the children and young people and their families.’
More information about the kinds of work involved can be found at: NHS National Careers Service
Search our online resources
We have many kinds of resources available online for nurses working in the community.
