Learning disabilities help and support
Most of our services are available to anyone over 18 years old with a learning disability, who also lives in Bath and North East Somerset - some are available to those aged 16 and over as they transition to adulthood. To access them, you may need to be referred by one of the following:
- GP
- Local mental health service
- Adult health and social care team
You can also self-refer for some of our services.
Services we offer
We provide the following learning disabilities services, alongside other organisations.
Complex Health Needs
The Complex Health Needs Service is made up of a group of specialist health care professionals who provide assessment, advice, therapeutic intervention, and support to adults who have learning disabilities and complex health needs.
Learning Disabilities Social Care team
Our Learning Disabilities Social Care team provide assessments, support and advice on housing, education and health issues, as well as supporting carers in their caring role. We can set up a package of care based on your assessed needs.
Learning Disabilities Nursing Service (Connections Day Services)
The Community Learning Disability Nurses are specifically trained to support the health needs of people with learning disabilities. They can offer support around a variety of health needs such as accessing primary care services, supporting participation in the Annual Health Check Programme, and Health Action Planning (HAP), to name a few.
Learning Disabilities Nursing Service (Carswood Day Services)
The Community Learning Disability Nurses are specifically trained to support the health needs of people with learning disabilities.
Carrswood and Connections Day Services (Learning Disabilities)
Carrswood Day Service and Connections Day Service (Frome Road, Writhlington, Radstock BA3 3LL) focus on providing opportunities for adults with a learning disability, who require a high level of support to learn new skills, gain confidence and learn independent living skills.
Home Farm Trust (Hft)
Hft Bristol and Bath emphasise on creatively supporting people to live with greater levels of independence and personal fulfilment to live the best lives possible.
Prestige Nursing
The Prestige Nursing and Care support team have a background in assisting people with a learning disability, and also undergo specialist training from Mencap. Their focus is to enable ability and help anyone with a learning disability lead a full and happy life either independently, sheltered accommodation or at home with their wider family.
United Response
United Response provide support depending on what you need and want. They can provide 24-hour care and support, seven days a week, for people with complex needs. They can provide support to help you get a job, or outreach support for just a few hours a week if you need help with specific tasks like budgeting or paying your bills.
Your Say Advocacy
Your Say is an advocacy service which supports individuals and groups to have a greater say in their lives and communities. It works with individuals on a one to one basis to provide specific support at times of change or where support is needed in decision making, and with a variety of groups and forums who have a shared purpose and goal.
Freeways
Freeways provide support to individuals in the community, in your own home, at one of their homes (both residential and supported living) or in their safe, relaxed day centre.
Orchard Vale Trust
Orchard Vale Trust support adults with learning disabilities into paid employment. They also offer residential services and tailored en-suite accommodation to adults with a wide range of learning disabilities.
Employment Inclusion
Employment Inclusion is a team of job coaches who can support people with learning difficulties and people with autism to move into full time paid jobs. We also work with people who are already in work but need support to keep their jobs.
You can contact Employment Inclusion by email at vocationalhub@bathnes.gov.uk, or by calling 01225 394592.
Rake Up and Grow
Rake Up and Grow is a garden training service working in ‘real’ commercial sites with adults with different abilities. It's an opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills.
Vocational Hub
The Vocational Hub is an umbrella term for teams and enterprises who support adults with learning disabilities develop skills and access opportunities for work experience and training opportunities.
Swallow
SWALLOW responds to individual needs by providing flexible support to its members. SWALLOW is based in Bath and North East Somerset and aims to enable teenagers and adults with learning disabilities to live as independently as they wish.
Bradbury House
Bradbury House is a leading provider of high quality care and support for people with learning difficulties and mental health needs, including Autism, and Asperger's Syndrome, and individuals with forensic backgrounds. It has 10 residential homes (around Bristol, Wells, Cheddar and Weston-Super-Mare) which offer services ranging from high dependency care to supported living, and also offers two day care centres including their own working farm in Somerset. They provide day care services in Bristol and at their farm.
Housing Support Gateway (B&NES)
The Bath and North East Somerset Housing Support Gateway provides a single point where you can apply for a wide range of support services to help you live independently, remain in your own home or avoid homelessness.
Voyage Care
Voyage Care work collaboratively with you and your support network to identify and source the right setting for you. Whether that’s in your own home, in supported living or in a registered care home.
Freeways
Freeways provide support to individuals in the community, in your own home, at one of their homes (both residential and supported living) or in their safe, relaxed day centre which is next to their hydrotherapy pool.
Consensus Support
The Consensus Support has Ellsworth House in Midsomer Norton, which provides a residential service for adults with learning disabilities, complex needs and behaviours which others may find challenging.
Henrietta Street
Julian House offer 10 beds in a high support housing project in Bath for adults with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Autism and Asperger’s). Henrietta Street encourages and enables clients to move towards independent living by improving life skills and working with other agencies such as social services and state specialist services to ensure the right package of care and support is in place.
Shared Lives scheme
The Shared Lives Scheme is an adult placement service which bridges the gap between supported living accommodation and living within a family environment.
Supported Independence
Supported Independence offer a wide variety of supported living services for individuals with mental health problems, learning disabilities, challenging behaviour and alcohol abuse.
Supported Living Service
We support adults with a Learning Disability and Autism to live independently within their own homes or tenancy. This can include support around medication, personal care, budgeting, life skills, promoting independence and being part of community.
Swallow
SWALLOW responds to individual needs by providing flexible support to its members. SWALLOW is based in Bath and North East Somerset and aims to enable teenagers and adults with learning disabilities to live as independently as they wish.
Bradbury House
Bradbury House is a leading provider of high quality care and support for people with learning difficulties and mental health needs, including Autism, and Asperger's Syndrome, and individuals with forensic backgrounds. It has ten residential homes (around Bristol, Wells, Cheddar and Weston-super-Mare), which offer services ranging from high dependency care to supported living, and also offers two daycare centres including their own working farm in Somerset. They provide daycare services in Bristol and at their farm.
Dimensions
Dimensions provide a number of support solutions such as supported living, residential care, Short Break (respite) and outreach services. They also offer specialist services for people with complex physical or health needs and challenging behaviour.
Mencap
Mencap work together with their sister charity, Golden Lane Housing, as well as social and private landlords, to find a home that meets your needs. Some of their supported living services are purpose-built or have been adapted and use technology that helps people to live as independently as possible.
Options (Selborne Care)
Selborne Care provide care and support for people with a learning disability who may have associated mental health needs and may exhibit degrees of challenging behaviour. They have the experience and understanding to meet the needs of people with a wide range of disabilities, including those within the autistic spectrum, and provide residential and community based supported living services in a number of places, including Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset.
Options for Living
Options for Living supported living schemes are designed to be accommodating and homely, and are normal houses in normal streets. The schemes provide flexible opportunities to develop the core independent living skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Brandon Trust
Brandon Trust offer a broad range of support, all focused on the unique needs and ambitions of each individual. They offer supported living, flexible support and accommodation with support in various locations, including Bristol and Bath and North East Somerset.
Livability Somerset in Taunton
Livability offer flexible and affordable support, with fully trained staff. They have supported living homes owned by a private landlord so you would have your own tenancy, and they can guide and support you in what’s available in your local community. They can also support you for an hour or two, or up to 24 hours a day.
Leonard Cheshire
Social care and support assessments
If you're not sure what help and support you need, or you think you need some financial support to access services, get a social care and support assessment