Services are available for people with learning disabilities and their carers on Anglesey.
How are services accessed?
Isle of Anglesey Social Services has a duty under the ‘Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970’ to keep a register of people who have a learning disability on Anglesey.
The definition of learning disability adopted within Anglesey Môn Learning Disabilities Services is that used in ‘Health of a Nation: A Strategy for People with Learning Disabilities (1995).’
- reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence) and
- reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning) and
- which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development
To access services people will need to be assessed against these criteria and their names recorded on the Ynys Môn Learning Disabilities Register.
A multidisciplinary assessment will be undertaken which includes:
- a social assessment of a person’s needs in relation to maintaining an adequate standard of independent living in the community
- a nursing adaptive behaviour / skills assessment
- a psychology assessment of cognitive abilities
What happens next?
Once you are accepted on the Learning Disability Register a social care assessment will be carried out under eligibility criteria for Adult Community Care Services.
A care co-ordinator may then be allocated to:
- co-ordinate an assessment of the individual and his/her family’s needs
- develop a care plan
- implement, monitor and adjust the plan as necessary
- formally review the plan at least once every year
The level of service provided will be determined by the complexity of need, the need for a multidisciplinary response, and the capacity of the service user and / or carer to manage the identified need. The Learning Disability Team has a number of specialists that can advise and provide these services including:
- social work case managers
- health case manager
- community nurses
- review and resource co-ordinator
- occupational therapist
- speech therapist
- physiotherapist
- psychologist
What services are available?
As well as the specific services provided by specialists within the team, people can be helped to access the following services:
- education / training
- supported employment in the community
- day occupational activities
- supported accommodation
- respite care
- home care
- direct payment
- advocacy
Carers are also entitled to receive support
A carer is a person who looks after a relative or friend who has a learning disability, and subsequently, may need assistance.
Carers play a crucial role and you have the right to:
- an assessment of your own needs as a Carer (a Carer’s Assessment)
- information and advice on what services may be available to you and the person you care for
- help and support to assist you in your caring role
- have your views heard and taken into consideration