Learning disabilities

We can provide information, advice and support to adults with a learning disability and their carers. Barnet Learning Disabilities Service is a joint service comprising health and social care staff working together. Following an assessment, we can help clients to:

Where appropriate, we can refer you to one of the council's in-house services, provided for people with a learning disability with specific needs.

We can also refer you to one of the local support organisations for people with a learning disability.

Definition of a learning disability

All three of the following must be present:

  • significantly below average intellectual functioning, i.e. IQ below 70 (WAIS test)
  • impairments in at least two of the following areas - communication, self care/home living, social functioning, interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self direction, functional academic skills, work and leisure, health and safety
  • onset of the learning disability before the age of 18.

How do I access services?

If you think you need a service or have questions you would like to ask, you can contact the Learning Disabilities Team:

Barnet Learning Disabilties Service, 313 Ballards Lane, North Finchley, London N12 8LY

  • Tel: 020 8492 5422
  • Fax: 020 8492 5468

What happens when you ask for a service?

We will gather initial information about the help you need. If it is the first time you have contacted us, you may also be asked general questions about your ethnicity, language and religion and the name of your GP.

We will then carry out an assessment of your needs with you. You are welcome to have a friend, relative, carer or advocate (representative) with you when we carry out your assessment. For more information on advocacy, please contact Advocacy in Barnet on:

or Mind in Barnet on:

Personal budgets and self-directed support

We are changing the way we support people who are over 18 years and need social care. We aim to increase people’s independence by providing them with a greater choice of services and more control over the support they receive. Now people who need social care services will have the opportunity to choose Self-directed support. This applies to adults who have had an assessment and qualify for a social care service.

Will I be charged for services?

You may be required to pay for some of the services you receive. How much you pay will depend on your income and the amount of help you need. We will ask you to complete a financial assessment form. You may be entitled to benefits and if so we will help you to claim them. More information about charging can be found in the charging policy Help on Downloading PDFs (PDF: 282KB)

Learning Disability Partnership Board

The Learning Disability Partnership Board has jointly produced the 'Small plan to make an even bigger difference' Help on Downloading PDFs (PDF: 1.3MB) for 2009-2012 which sets out seven big things that the board want to achieve for people with learning disabilities in Barnet and what they have to do to make it happen.

The Barnet Learning Disability Parliament

The Barnet Learning Disability Parliament is a made up of a group of MPs with learning disabilities. They have been chosen to speak up for other people with learning disabilities living in the London Borough of Barnet to make sure people with learning disabilities have a say and are listened to.

'Valuing People Now' - making it happen in Barnet

In January 2009, Valuing People Now was published setting out a three year strategy to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. Called ‘Making it Happen for Everyone’, Valuing People Now is an opportunity to help get better lives for all people with learning disabilities and their families, including those with complex needs, and from black and minority ethnic communities.

Earlier in the year, we were asking for your views on whether we have got the right priorities for Barnet in our work plan for the Learning Disability Partnership Board, which is based on what is said in Valuing People Now. See our Valuing People Now page for more details.

‘Making a Big Difference’ An integrated commissioning strategy for Learning Disability Services in Barnet 2007-2010

This is the first three year Integrated Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy for Barnet Help on Downloading PDFs (PDF: 470KB). The document sets out the commissioning and decommissioning intentions of Barnet NHS and the London Borough of Barnet for 2007-2010 for adults with a learning disability who are resident within the boundaries of the London Borough of Barnet to deliver the vision of Valuing People and to implement the Barnet Learning Disability Partnership Board’s ‘Small Plan to Make an Even Bigger Difference.’

It provides a framework to support the provision of flexible, responsive and equitable services to respond to a broad continuum of health and social needs to support us to meet national and local key targets.

Useful publications

People's Voice Newsletters

You can see a full list of our newsletters and information booklets on the publications page. You can download any of the publications or request a hard copy in your preferred format.


Other links worth noting

Safeguarding Adults

Comments, Compliments and Complaints

Adult Social Services home page


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email icon Email this pageLast modified by: Dawn Rowe on 03/02/2010


Contact

Adult Social Services
North London Business Park (NLBP)
Oakleigh Road South
London
N11 1NP
Phone Number
020 8359 2000
Text Number (SMS)
07781 473279
Fax Number
020 8359 2197
Typetalk
18001 020 8359 2040
Email
adultsocialservices@barnet.gov.uk