What does the Learning Disability service do?
We want to help adults with a learning disability (also known as intellectual disability) to be as healthy as they can be, so they can live fulfilled and meaningful lives.
We aim to:
- provide specialist health-focussed services to those people with a learning disability who need it
- support carers and other staff involved in providing care for someone with a learning disability
People with a learning disability should access mainstream services wherever this is possible. For many, they can do this when reasonable adjustments are made to help them do so.
Community Learning Disability Teams
Learning Disability Teams are made up of people who can help make sure the health needs of people with learning disabilities are met.
Specialist clinicians in the team include:
- Dietitians (In East Ayrshire, this is via Community Dietitians)
- Learning Disabilities nurses
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
Referrals
Our Community Learning Disability Teams will accept referrals for an adult with a learning disability who also has two or more of the following:
- they have been unable to have their current/ongoing mental health and/or physical health needs met through mainstream service provision
- they display behaviours that are so severe as to cause significant risk to self, others or the environment, or may lead to the possibility that restrictive practices may be imposed
- because of complex health needs, they need Learning Disability health professionals with a range of different skills to be involved at the same time
- their learning disability is impacting on their ability to engage or comply with healthcare-related interventions
We will also accept referrals:
- for formal assessment for adults who may have a learning disability but who have not been assessed or diagnosed yet, who would meet the above criteria for team involvement if a learning disability was confirmed
- for young people in their last six months at school (12 months where complex care needs will make transition into adult services more difficult) with a known or suspected learning disability – we will not become directly involved until the young person is 18 years or older or leaves school
If the referral request into the learning disability service has not been made by the person themselves, we will check we have consent or permission from the person or their legally-appointed guardian for us to become involved.
How the Learning Disability Team will help:
- We will contact you by phone or letter.
- We will explain which members of the team will be involved, and when they will be in touch.
- We will gather information that will help identify what needs are present, and will identify how best we can help.
- If we cannot help, we will try to find who can.
Contact us
We can be contacted directly by the person (patient) themselves, or by others involved in their care.
North Ayrshire Community Learning Disabilities Team
Horseshoe Building – Ayrshire Central Hospital
Kilwinning Road,
Irvine KA12 8SS
Telephone: 01294 323560
Opening times: Monday to Thursday – 9am to 5pm, Fridays – 4.30pm (closed on public holidays)
South Ayrshire Community Learning Disabilities Team
Arrol Park Resource Centre
Doonfoot Road,
Ayr KA7 4DW
Telephone: 01292 614910
Opening times: Monday to Thursday – 9am to 5pm, Fridays – 4.30pm (closed on public holidays)
East Ayrshire Community Learning Disabilities Team
Kilmarnock office:
North West Kilmarnock Area Centre
Western Road
Kilmarnock KA131NQ
Telephone: 01563 578567
Cumnock office:
Rothesay House
1 Greenholm Road
Cumnock KA18 1LH
Telephone: 01290 428389
Opening times: Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm (closed on public holidays)
Leaving a message
When phoning the local team and no-one is able to answer, please leave a message – including name and phone number. A member of the team will try to call you back soon, or when the office is next open.
If it is not possible to wait until the next working day for help or advice, and the Learning Disabilities team offices are closed, please phone 111 (NHS 24) for immediate advice.
For an emergency with care arrangements, phone out of hours Social Work on 0800 328 7758.
In a medical emergency that is life-threatening, always phone 999 first and ask for help before phoning any other services.