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Learning Disability Children

This page was last reviewed 28-06-19

Learning Disability Children

Children’s Community Learning Disability Nursing Service

There are 7 team bases across Lothian:-

North East        Leith Community Treatment Centre, Junction Place, Edinburgh EH6 5JQ

North West      North West Locality Office 8 West Pilton Garden Edinburgh EH4 4DP

South East        Gracemount Medical Centre, 24 Gracemount Drive, Edinburgh EH16 6RN

South West      Westerhailes Healthy Living Centre, 30 Harvesters Way Edinburgh EH14 3JF

West Lothian    Arrochar House, Almondvale Boulevard, Livingstone, West Lothian, EH54 6QJ

Midlothian        Bonnyrigg Health Centre, Quarry Head, 109-111 High Street, Bonnyrigg EH19 2ET

East Lothian     Dunpender, Herdmanflat Hospital, Aberlady Road, Haddington EH41 3BU

Who to refer:

  • Children or young people whether there is significant indication or diagnosis of learning disability.
  • Young people aged 18 or under who are still in school
  • Children aged 16 or under

Why to refer:

Due to the child or young person’s learning disability, they require additional input from the Community Learning Disability Nursing Team to address their health needs.  The nurses can provide input with:-

  • Activities of daily living
  • Behavioural issues
  • Communication
  • Toileting issues
  • Sleep issues
  • Sexual health issues
  • Nutrition e.g. selective eating

Who not to refer:

Children or young people with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, unless they have an additional learning disability diagnosis or suspected learning disability. 

Things to consider prior to referral:

  • Has the person a confirmed diagnosis of learning disability
  • Has the person had support from Learning disability services in the past
  • What is the persons educational background (e.g. attending a special school could suggest the person has a learning disability, qualifications gained to SQA standard grade or equivalent could suggest the person does not have a learning disability )
  • Has the person consented to the referral?

How to refer:

Referral for GPs is via SCI Gateway although we accept letter or referral form.
There is not one address or telephone number as the service covers 7 teams across Lothian (See above) 
It is important to explain clearly

  • the issue that has led to the referral
  • why you think we are the correct service to address this.
  • detail if there are any Child Protection concerns.

This will enable us to assess the level of urgency of the referral. 

The link below to the intranet pages provides the up to date contact details

http://intranet.lothian.scot.nhs.uk/Directory/LearningDisabilities/Pages/default.aspx

What Happens:

Once the referral has been received, we discuss it at our fortnightly team meeting.

The outcome of this discussion will be fed-back to the referrer.

​Learning Disability Intranet pages provides the up to date contact details

http://intranet.lothian.scot.nhs.uk/Directory/LearningDisabilities/Pages/default.aspx

Social Care Direct Advice or self referral in Edinburgh through  Social Care Direct service.  Help due to illness, frailty, disability or concerns about safety of an adult or child at risk of harm https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20199/get_care_and_support/51/ask_social_care_direct_for_advice

Dyslexia Scotland Assessment information hereDyspraxia Scotland here