Local strategies
In Norfolk and Suffolk, we would like people with learning disabilities and/or autistic adults to live good lives as part of their community. With the right support, at the right time, from the right people.
We will do this by working as part of the Norfolk Learning Disability Partnership, Norfolk Autism Partnership, Suffolk Learning Disability Partnership Board and Suffolk All Age Autism Partnership.
- The Norfolk Learning Disability Plan
- Norfolk’s All Age Autism Strategy June 2024 to 2029
- Suffolk All-Age Autism Strategy
- Suffolk Joint Learning Disability Strategy
RESTORE2Mini Training
Our RESTORE2Mini training gives carers the confidence to recognise “soft signs” that someone may be becoming unwell and to communicate concerns clearly using the SBARD framework. This nationally recognised tool is designed for support workers, care staff, and family carers in community and residential settings—with no clinical training required.
By improving early detection and ensuring concerns are escalated effectively, this training supports safer care and better outcomes for people with learning disabilities, who are at higher risk of delayed diagnosis and preventable illness.
Access the training materials and watch the webinar below.
Screen your way to better health
In 2025, Framfield Surgery in Woodbridge noticed that less than 30% of their patients with a learning disability were attending cervical and breast cancer screening.
In response, they teamed up with learning disabilities and autism liaison nurses from Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) to create resources aimed at boosting uptake.
The resources have been designed for people with a learning disability and their families and carers, and explain:
- who should attend the five main screening appointments
- how regularly the screening appointments should happen
- what the screening is for
- how to arrange an appointment and what to expect
Visit the Suffolk Ordinary Lives website to browse the resources, which are useful for anyone living in Suffolk or Norfolk.
Learn more about screeningOliver McGowan Mandatory Training
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory training on Learning Disability and Autism is available to health and social care staff in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The training is delivered as either Tier 1 or Tier 2 learning. Staff should fully complete either Tier 1 or Tier 2 to receive the training that is relevant to their role. The Tier Guidance will help employers determine which Tier their staff will need.
The courses on both tiers are split into two parts.
Part one
The first part for both tiers is an e-learning module. This module is the same no matter which tier you enroll on to.
You can access this e-learning module via your organisation’s training system or via e-Learning for Health (e-lfh).
Once you have completed the first part of your chosen Tier, you will be ready to complete the second part.
Part two
The second part of the training is either delivered face-to-face or via an online webinar, depending on which Tier you have been enrolled on to.
In Norfolk and Waveney, this is provided by ACC Consulting Ltd. If you have not received notification of how to book this training, please speak to your organisation’s development lead who will be able to advise. Staff should ensure they have completed the part one e-learning module prior to attending the face-to-face training or online webinar.
In Suffolk, training is provided by the ICB’s Learning Disabilities and Autism team. Any CQC-registered health and care provider in Suffolk who would like further information about this training can contact: [email protected]
Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag
The Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag (RADF) Information Standard mandate applies to all health and publicly funded social care.
Organisations should ensure that they identify the disability and associated reasonable adjustment requirements of their existing registered or known patients or service users during routine appointments or interactions with the service.
Visit our Reasonable Adjustments page to learn more about the Digital Flag.
STOMP/STAMP
STOMP (Stopping Over Medication of People with a learning disability, autism or both) and STAMP (Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics) are national projects launched by NHS England to stop the overuse of psychotropic medicines.
STOMP focuses on adults with a learning disability and/or autistic adults, while STAMP is related to the care of children and young people.
Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment
The Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) process creates a summary of personalised recommendations for a person’s clinical care in a future emergency in which they do not have capacity to make or express choices.
The plan can be for anyone but will have increasing relevance for people who have complex health needs, people who are likely to be nearing the end of their lives, and people who are at risk of sudden deterioration or cardiac arrest. Some people will want to record their care and treatment preferences for other reasons.
The aim of ReSPECT is to support a wider conversation between a person and their health care team about that person’s condition, their priorities for future care and what treatments may or may not be acceptable to them or helpful for them in the future.
Learn more about ReSPECTConstipation awareness
Constipation can be a life–threatening issue for people with a learning disability who are at heightened risk from complications if it is left untreated. NHS England have developed resources, including an animation, posters, leaflets, social media assets and template editorial copy have been created to help prevent, recognise and treat constipation in people with a learning disability.
They are designed to be printed and used in home or care settings, facilitating conversations about constipation, and hopefully leading to swift treatment and improved outcomes for those people with a learning disability who are experiencing constipation. Resources are available to support people with a learning disability, their carers, and people who work in primary care.
Access constipation awareness resourcesEmollients and Fire Safety
Norfolk and Waveney, as with other areas, have had ongoing issues with fire related injury and harm related to emollient use which unfortunately resulted in two recent fatalities. Emollients are safely used by millions of people every day to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions but can act as an accelerant when absorbed and dried into clothing/fabrics and exposed to naked flames or other heat sources. We must ensure patients and their carers understand the fire risk associated with the build-up of emollient residue on clothing and other fabrics encourage and support action to minimise the risk. This information needs to be communicated in a way which is accessible and takes into account any required reasonable adjustments. Resources and support including training and easy read information can be found on the Knowledge NoW website.
Talking Therapies for people with a Learning Disability
The LeDeR Programme in Norfolk and Waveney has seen in reviews that nearly all common mental health problems for people with a learning disability are managed using psychotropic medications as a first line treatment. We do not see evidence of Talking Therapies being referred to or even considered for this vulnerable group. Both improving access to psychological therapies and reducing the inappropriate prescribing of psychotropic medications were identified as priorities in the NHS Long Term Plan. There is a briefing on the Knowledge NoW website with more information on services and how to best support people to access the most appropriate mental health support.
Annual Health Checks
Annual Health Checks are important in preventing health inequalities for people with a learning disability and the early identification of health needs. Everyone on their GP’s learning disability list, over the age of 14 years old, is entitled to a Learning Disability Annual Health Check. More information and support can be found on the Knowledge NoW website.
Respiratory vaccine for people with a learning disability and autistic people
LeDeR reports tells us that diseases of the respiratory system remain a locally and nationally significant issue for people with a learning disability. However, they could largely be considered avoidable. Please see information below regarding vaccinations for respiratory diseases.
Tips and resources for carers and professionals
- A Learning Disability diagnosis is an eligibility criteria for the flu vaccine
- A Learning Disability or Autism diagnosis is not an eligibility criteria for the pneumococcal, COVID-19 or RSV vaccine
- Primary care providers need to be aware if any adult with a learning disability or autism meets the eligibility criteria
- Think about age, co-morbidities and living arrangements.
Access a ‘top tips’ resource for primary care teams, with advice on supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
