East Sussex learning disability teams

Eastbourne Downs & Weald Community Learning Disability Team
The Bellbrook Centre
Uckfield
East Sussex
TN22 1QL

Tel: 01273 336555 

Hastings And Rother Community Learning Disability Team
Cavendish House
Breeds Place
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 3AA

Tel: 01424726551

The Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) is a specialist health team for adults (18+) with learning disability. We support people with a learning disability who have mental health needs, physical health needs and difficulties with behaviour and who cant use mainstream services even with reasonable adjustments. We also offer support to access mainstream services and to help people with complex needs be understood and supported to maximise their quality of life and prevent deterioration of physical or psychological health. We work both with individuals and also with their families and support networks.

What is a learning disability or intellectual disability?

Learning disability in the UK is the same as intellectual disability, which is the international medical term.

It is the presence of:

• significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information in learning new skills (impaired intelligence)
• and reduced ability to cope independently (impairment of social and adaptive functioning skills  which started before adulthood (18) 
• and has a lasting effect on development.

World Health Organisation, Valuing People, HM Government 2001

Impaired intelligence has historically been defined as an IQ/WAIS score of less than 70, although the scores are not always reliable, as they are affected by educational attainment, cultural background, presence or absence of a neurodevelopmental disorder, mental health problem etc. As a result the diagnosis of learning disability (or intellectual disability) no longer relies on IQ testing alone (DSM 5) but upon an understanding of a persons cognitive abilities and how this impacts on their social and adaptive functioning and ability to manage daily tasks.

Each person referred is assessed individually. Many people with mild learning disability will not require the input of CLDT, which is reserved for those who cannot access generic / mainstream services with the level of reasonable adjustments that they can make, and who have very complex needs. for example difficulties with communication, behaviour, understanding, swallowing , mobility or  physical health needs. They may require specialist learning disability professionals from learning disability nursing, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, behaviour support or psychiatry. 

The presence of autism spectrum disorder has to be in addition to learning disability (or intellectual disability) in order to access the team's involvement.

Nationally, people have a right to access generic services with reasonable adjustments , so before referring to the CLDT, please consider first whether the person can access mainstream health services. For example someone with a mild learning disability who has fluent language, can wash and dress themselves, use transport independently and needs minimal support may be able to access mainstream services. however someone else with a mild learning disability might have additional needs in relation to their physical health or behavioural presentation and  may need a more specialist CLDT service.

The CLDT will also take referrals for individuals where the support needed is to facilitate access to generic / mainstream services including mental health services as well as primary care and acute hospitals.

What is the Learning Disability Response Plan?

The Learning Disability Response Plan (LDRP) is a partnership between Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Sussex Police to ensure the police have a better understanding of individuals needs, reduce contact time with the police and improve outcomes for people who have complex needs.

It will act as an information alert for police officers responding to calls or concerns relating to individuals with learning disabilities, some of whom are diagnosed with mental health and/or complex needs.  The response plan will enable the police to make decisions in a more person- centred way as opposed to a crime and evidence motivated-based decision, reducing resources input and providing better outcome for those individuals.

Who is eligible for the LDRP?

Individuals eligible for this scheme will have a previous offence/s or will have had contact with the police within the last year.

How does it work?

If you meet the above criteria, or care for someone who does, email LDRP@sussex.pnn.police.uk. The pack will contain an easy read document to support understanding.