Mental Health

Learning Disabilities (Children)

Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:

Quick Read
In-depth
Clinical level

On this page we focus on support up to the age of 25 but as you move to becoming an adult you may also find extra information and services by looking under

LOCAL SUPPORT - SELF REFERRAL

CONTACT DETAILS AND DIRECTORY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES (SEND LOCAL OFFER)

From the Family Information Service
Support for children and young people (under 25) with SEND and their parents – divided into Buckinghamshire Council SEND services and SEND support and activities by local organisations
SEND support services  SEND support services | Family Information Service

Before using the directory it is worth looking at the information below, to gain a better understanding of what is available:

DIAGNOSIS 

If you are concerned about your child or need a diagnosis

From the Family Information Service
If you think your child may have special educational needs (SEN), speak to their education provider.
Education providers include:

If your child is not in education, speak to your GP instead.

SUPPORT after a  DIAGNOSIS, including self referral for other support

From Oxford Health CAMHS
“If a diagnosis is made following on from your assessment, CAMHS or your buddy will be there to help you understand more about the diagnosis and a care plan will be put in place to support you.”
Intellectual Disabilities team Intellectual Disabilities team | Oxford Health CAMHS Oxford Health CAMHS

For self- referral for other support after diagnosis as the Intellectual Disabilities team suggest
“Parents involved with the child or young person’s care can make a referral by contacting CAMHS. Young people over the age of 16 years old can contact the service themselves to talk about how CAMHS may be able to help them.” Intellectual Disabilities team | Oxford Health CAMHS Oxford Health CAMHS

DIRECT SUPPORT AND ADVICE IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE FOR children and young people (UNDER 25)

From Buckinghamshire Council
Under 25
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service or SENDIAS, provides free, confidential, impartial information, advice and support on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability for children and young people aged 0 to 25 and their parents/carers.

From the Family Information Service
For under 25

From the Council of Disabled Children
Find details for any national SENDIAS service
For Buckinghamshire SENDIAS service Buckinghamshire

SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION (INCLUDING TRANSPORT)

From the Family Information Service
Education and SEND Education and special educational needs and disabilities | Family Information Service

SOCIAL CARE under 18

From the Family Information Service
For children and young people
There is extensive support in different aspects of life which includes social care

SELF REFERRAL FOR A SOCIAL CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT over 18

A FREE social care needs assessment can help you better understand what your social care needs are and also what your options are supporting those needs.

From Buckinghamshire Council
Learning disabilities Learning disabilities | Care Advice Buckinghamshire

Further information on adult social care can be found under

LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT GROUPS

From the Family Information Service
Local help with autism includes an excellent large directory of support which is divided up by categories such as “advice and support “ ,“ things to do” , “education and learning” etc.
Activities for SEND (includes link to “search the directory”) Activities for SEND | Family Information Service

SUPPORT FOR SHORT BREAKS

From the Family Information Service
We help children and young people with disabilities, and their families and carers, by giving you access to short breaks.
Short breaks Short breaks and respite care for children with SEND | Family Information Service

From Bucks Activity Project
We work with families and children aged 0-19 who have a disability and need additional support. We offer short breaks for children who can take part in fun activities and group activities with experienced staff to support them. What we do| About Us |Bucks Activity Project | Buckinghamshire| Action for Children | Action for Children

HOSPITAL SUPPORT – general information

From the NHS
Support if you are going into hospital Learning disabilities – Support if you are going into hospital – NHS

From Mencap

From the NHS
Staying with my child in hospital – NHS

Local support under 18

Children and young people will generally be looked after on paediatric (children) wards who will have some nursing staff with specialist learning disability training.

Local support over 18

From Buckinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust
Our learning disability liaison team helps adult patients with learning disabilities and autism, and their carers, to access high quality care and have a positive experience in hospital.
Patients with learning disabilities and autism Patients with learning disabilities and autism – Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

From Frimley Healthcare Trust (Wexham Park Hospital)
Learning disability liaison nurses Learning disability liaison service | NHS Frimley Health Foundation Trust

From Hillingdon Hospital NHS foundation trust
Responding to the needs of people with learning disabilities Responding to the needs of people with learning disabilities | The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Other local and national hospitals will normally have an adult learning disabilities team available in the hospital.

PATIENT ADVISORY LIAISON SERVICE (PALS)

The PALS service can also offer support, however it is always best to go through the paediatric (children) ward team first.

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.

OTHER SUPPORT

There is significant support for parents and carers which, though not specifically related to the condition of autism can be helpful. See under

There is also support for finances and bullying under

From Buckinghamshire Council
Training, work experience and employment Jobs, training, work and preparing for adulthood (SEND) | Family Information Service

From Buckinghamshire Skills Hub
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities “If you have a Special Educational Need or Disability, or you know someone who does, you might be wondering what success looks like. We are here to give you the support you need to realise your potential.” Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | Career Seeker Type | Buckinghamshire Skills Hub

Further information on support for adult education can be found under

SAFEGUARDING

To report a concern about abuse or neglect of a child, see under

NATIONAL SUPPORT - SELF REFERRAL

NATIONAL HELPLINES 

Mencap and Contact provide supportive helplines, with Mencap also supplying a package of support covering a number of areas. There is also support on this website in other areas such as finance. Click below to see

NATIONAL SUPPORT INCLUDING HELPLINES

From Mencap
The Learning Disability Helpline is our free helpline service offering advice and support for people with a learning disability, and their families and carers
Learning Disability Helpline Learning Disability Helpline | Mencap
Services to help you
“We don’t have a ‘standard’ approach at Mencap – all our personal support and services start with us spending time to understand you as an individual.”
There is a great range of services and we recommend you look at this page to understand all that is available.
Our services  Learning Disability Support Services | Mencap

From Contact

  • Our helpline is for parents and carers in any part of the UK with a disabled child aged from birth to 25. Contact us | Contact
  • Our 1-1 telephone appointments for parent carers looking for emotional support. Listening Ear | Contact

OTHER SUPPORT

There is significant support for parents and carers which, though not specifically related to the condition of learning disabilities can be helpful. See under

There is also support for finances and bullying under

Medical - frequently asked questions

DIAGNOSIS OF A LEARNING DISABILITY

If you are concerned about your child or need a diagnosis

From the Family Information Service (Buckinghamshire)
If you think your child may have special educational needs (SEN), speak to their education provider.
Education providers include:

From Mencap

From Contact
Getting a diagnosis Getting a diagnosis | Contact

From NICE
What clinical teams might be involved in obtaining a diagnosis? Scenario: Suspected learning disability | Management | Learning disabilities | CKS | NICE

Flu vaccination

As the NHS states
“The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition, including learning disabilities” Flu vaccine – NHS 

From Gov UK
Information on how to protect yourself from flu: easy-read guide Information on how to protect yourself from flu: easy-read guide – GOV.UK

Social - frequently asked questions

SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION

From Mencap
Portage
“Portage is the home visiting educational service for preschool children with SEND and their families”
Portage- advice and support  Portage – Advice and support | Mencap

From the National Portage Association
How to contact the Buckinghamshire portage service for support Buckinghamshire Portage Service | National Portage Association

From Mencap and the Family Information Service
How can I ensure my child gets the best possible education at school?
Special education needs

How does one get an Education, health and care plan (EHCP) assessment in Buckinghamshire?

How can I get further education after school?

THE EHC ASSESSMENT

From the Family Information Service
As the family information service suggest on the Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.
“School or educational settings usually start this process. They will work with parents, carers, young people and professionals to submit a request for an EHC needs assessment to the council”.
Education, health and care plans (EHCP) Education, health and care plans, EHCP for SEND | Family Information Service

DAILY LIVING SUPPORT (SOCIAL CARE)

From Mencap
Social care Social Care – Learning Disability – Advice and Support | Mencap

From Contact
Social care Social care | Contact

For under 25: You can also get information and advice from Buckinghamshire SENDIASS

From Buckinghamshire Council
Under 25
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service or SENDIAS, provides free, confidential, impartial information, advice and support on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability for children and young people aged 0 to 25 and their parents/carers.

From the Family Information Service
For under 25
There is extensive support in different aspects of life.
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND Local Offer) Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND Local Offer) | Family Information Service

FINANCE AND TRANSPORT

From Mencap and the Family Information Service
Money advice for people with learning disabilities and their carers.

Transport for people with a learning disability

From Buckinghamshire Council and Gov UK
What is a Carer’s Allowance? (Includes a pack and make an application though gov.uk) What is a Carer’s Allowance? | Care Advice Buckinghamshire
Make a claim for carer’s allowance Carer’s Allowance: Make a claim – GOV.UK 

Further information on finances and transport

Further information can be found under

MAKING DECISIONS

From Mencap

  • “The Mental Capacity Act is an important law for people with a learning disability. It protects your rights to make your own choices” What is The Mental Capacity Act? | Mencap
  • “Advocacy support can help give you or your loved one the confidence and ability to speak up about things that are important”.  Advocacy | Mencap

From Mencap and the Family Information Service
Transition into adult services

General - frequently asked questions

GENERAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT

Learning disability can affect different aspects of life and there is detailed information on this from a number of excellent websites. The sites below divide information into categories, rather than split this section into the different categories we emphasize the differences between the websites.

NATIONAL

From Mencap
A wide-ranging guide
Advice and support Access Learning Disability Advice and Support | Mencap

From Contact
A detailed guide covering all aspects of learning disability
Information & advice Information & advice | Contact

From the NHS
Learning disabilities Learning disabilities – NHS

From NICE
Learning disabilities Learning disabilities | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE

LOCAL ADVICE

From Buckinghamshire Council
Under 25
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service or SENDIAS, provides free, confidential, impartial information, advice and support on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability for children and young people aged 0 to 25 and their parents/carers.

From the Family Information Service
For under 25
There is extensive support in different aspects of life
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND Local Offer) Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND Local Offer) | Family Information Service

local Community nurses

From Buckinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust
For under 20
Community Nurses for children and young people with a learning disability Community nurses for children and young people with a learning disability – Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust – CYP Website

DIRECT SUPPORT FOR PARENTS/ CARERS

From Contact
“Information about the help available in your area, from local advice organisations to parent support groups.”

Our 1-1 telephone appointments for parent carers looking for emotional support.

FURTHER INFORMATION

There is general information and support under

HOW CAN CHILDCARE SUPPORT MY CHILD AND MYSELF?

From Mencap
Childcare Childcare for children with a learning disability | Mencap

From the Family Information Service
Childcare in Buckinghamshire
Childcare and early years Childcare and early years | Family Information Service

Easy read information

Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Some helpful easy read leaflets on common health conditions and services can be found under

Videos and podcasts

On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering the topic of learning disabilities.

NHS 111

If you think you need medical help right now, 111 online can tell you what to do next.

Physiotherapy

You can now self refer for physiotherapy locally

Your Pharmacy

Seven common infections now treated by your local pharmacist

CAMPAIGNS

Show your heart some love, women of Bucks!

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