Support Networks

There are three Community Teams for Learning Disabilities in Wakefield. They work together to provide social work and community nursing support to adults, and young people over 18, who have a diagnosed Learning Disability.

The team provides assessment and manages care to adults who have a learning disability.

See Wakefield Council’s website for more information.

In 1976, armed with a single phone in a rented office, Dimensions began supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs out of institutions, helping them lead ordinary lives in their local communities.

Forty years on, our work is fundamentally unchanged: we support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives. Our 7000 colleagues deliver ambitious, effective, personalised support and housing, often with those whose previous support has not been successful.

To find out more click here.

We are a charity that works alongside people with an acquired brain injury and physical disabilities to help them live as independently as possible. For over 40 years, our high-quality services across the UK have supported people to move forward with their lives. These include: brain injury assessment and rehabilitation centres, hospitals, care homes, supported living accommodation, care in people’s homes and a school.

Our services support around 750 people each year. We are the largest not-for-profit brain injury service provider in the UK. We also campaign, conduct research and pilot new ideas to amplify the voices of people who can’t access our core services.

To find out more click here.

Newhaven is a low secure service providing 16 beds for males with a learning disability based at Fieldhead in Wakefield. In addition to inpatient beds, the service provides an outreach service which supports people to integrate back into the community.

Newhaven provides high quality assessment and treatment packages for males with a learning disability aged over 18 years who present with offending or challenging behaviour which may bring them into contact with the criminal justice system.

To find out more click here.

Shared Lives is a care and support service which is for people aged 17+ who want to live independently in their community, with the support of a Shared Lives Carer. It is a bespoke service which is an alternative to supported living or residential care.

Find out more on Wakefield Council’s website.

Phone or email the Learning Disability Helpline, which is our advice and support service, for guidance and information about what support we can offer you.

Or why not take a look at our online community? This is a place for parents and family carers of people with a learning disability to share experiences, advice and support.

More information found on MenCap’s website.

From parent support to activities for children, we offer a wide range of groups designed to help with the daily struggles of living with autism.

To find out more please see Beat Autism website.

Our group is called the Wakefield and District Down’s Syndrome Support Group – we support lots of families in the surrounding cities, including Barnsley, Dewsbury and some further afield.

The group was formed in 2000, and is run by volunteer parents/carers of people with Down’s syndrome. The aim of the group is to provide a support network, information and fun activities for people with Down’s syndrome, their families and friends. We raise awareness and promote social inclusion in a wide variety of ways.

To find out more click here.

We’re Sense, the national disability charity – supporting everyone who is deafblind or has complex disabilities. We believe everyone should be able to take part in life, no matter their disability.

To find out more click here.

The Safer Places Scheme is a voluntary scheme that aims to assist vulnerable people with learning disabilities, autism and dementia to feel safer when travelling independently.

To find out more click here.

NHS GPs in England can be paid to undertake annual health checks for people registered with them who have learning disabilities and meet the eligibility criteria.

They must be:

aged 14 and over
on the practice learning disability health checks register

The scheme also requires practices to undertake relevant training and to use a health check protocol agreed with their local commissioning organisation.

To find out more click here.

A group for adults with Learning Disabilities who talk about issues, learn self-advocacy skills, share life experiences and meet new friends.

To find out more click here.

This service is a community health service for people with learning disabilities who need support to improve health and wellbeing. It includes psychiatry, psychology, specialist learning disability nursing, therapists and an intensive support team with many different skills.

To find out more click here.

What support is available?