Learning disability
If you are an adult with a learning disability or care for someone with a learning disability, you can get help and support.
Take me to What is a learning disability? ↘ Support organisations ↘ Support for carers ↘ Other help ↘ Get help from us ↘
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things in any area of life.
It can be difficult for a person with a learning disability to:
- Understand new things
- Learn new skills
- Live independently
- Communicate with other people
The level of support someone needs depends on the individual. For example, someone with a mild learning disability may only need support with things like getting a job.
However, someone with a severe learning disability may need fulltime care and support with every aspect of their life. They may also have physical disabilities.
Support organisations
If you need help with getting your voice heard, the Daffodil Advocacy Project provides information and advocacy. They can also support young people, who are beginning to move towards independence and find and access services they may need.
Contact 020 8554 2328 or email info@daffodiladvocacy.org.
Redbridge Forum provides support to people with learning disabilities and their carers to speak up. They organise consultation events and encourage organisations to work in partnership with them.
The following organisations provide more information for people with a learning disability:
- Learning Disability England
- Scope
- Mencap
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD)
- SeeAbility
- Shaw Trust
- United Response
Support for carers
If you look after a child, young person or adult with learning disabilities, you could be eligible for extra support.
You can find out more about getting a carer's assessment, respite care and financial support for carers on our caring for someone section.
Other help
Travel and transport
If you find it difficult to get around, have a look at our getting out and about section. This has information to make travelling easier for you.
Equipment and adapting your home
To help you live independently within your home, there may be specialist equipment available which will allow you to do these things safely and independently.
Money
For information about claiming disability benefits and about direct payments, go to the paying for care section.
Get help from us
Redbridge Adult Social Services is made up of social and health care professionals who work with adults who have a learning disability and their carers.
We support people with learning disabilities to live healthy independent lives and keep safe in the community.
If you need support, then we will carry out an assessment of needs. This assessment will identify what your needs are, what problems you are facing and how you can be helped.
If your needs meet the eligibility criteria, then you will receive services from the council.
