Norfolk Learning Disability Service

What is the service?

The Norfolk Learning Disability Service supports adults aged 18+ who have been diagnosed with a learning disability. We are a team of health and social care professionals from Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Community Health and Care Trust. Together we provide a range of support services to people with learning disabilities. Depending on your needs we may help you with any of the following areas:

Communication
Eating and drinking
Accommodation
Behaviour and mental health
Emotional wellbeing
Diagnostic assessments
Epilepsy
Employment and volunteering
Carers' assessments
Sexual health
Keeping safe and risk management
Support at home
Medication
Mobility and posture
Day activities

Who can get support?

To receive support from our team you must have a learning disability and be registered with a Norfolk GP. Depending on your needs you may get support from us or your local health and social care services.

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a permanent developmental disability. It affects a person's ability to learn and cope with everyday activities, such as housework, socialising and managing money.

It will have been present since before the person was 18, and usually from birth. A learning disability is permanent and affects a person's entire life. It is different from difficulties such as reading and writing problems (eg dyslexia).

Who is in the team?

Each team has a health team manager and social care team manager who are supported by an operational health lead and practice consultant social worker. The team is made up of:

Occupational therapists
Community learning disability nurses
Social workers and assistant practitioners
Clinical psychologists and assistant psychologists
Health care assistants
Speech and language therapists
Dietitians
Transition social workers
Physiotherapists
Psychiatry (provided by Hertfordshire partnership NHS Foundation Trust)
Business support
Intensive support team and enhanced assessment team (provided by Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust and Norfolk Community Health and Care)

How is the service organised?

The Norfolk Learning Disabilities Service is organised through five locality teams:

Norwich
North
East
West
South

How do I refer to the team?

If you need an assessment from the Norfolk Learning Disability Service you should contact the Social Care Community Engagement (SCCE) on 0344 800 8020, who will help you with the assessment process. SCCE may decide you also need to have an assessment from the Learning Disabilities Service. To do this they will refer you to your local Learning Disability Locality Team.

How does the service change between children's services and adult services?

The Preparing for Adult Life (PfAL) Service is responsible for carrying out transition Care Act assessments for young people likely to require support through Adult Social Services after they turn18. Referrals can be made from age 14.

For more details, visit Read more details on our page about preparing for adult life.