Dudleys Adult Learning Disability Network

The Learning Disability Network is for adults with learning disabilities and their supporters. It provides local and national information and news on learning disabilities together with advice about a range of services for its members through its learning disabilities carer bulletin, easy read learning disabilities newsletter and Learning Disability Partnership Board website

The network has a database of information which helps to build a current profile of individuals living in the Dudley borough who have moderate or severe learning disabilities. The database, known as the “Register” is a voluntary database

It is jointly funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Dudley Council

The information on the database helps to:

• plan future services for people with learning disabilities
• address gaps in services
• predict future demands for alternative care and support
• target specific areas of concern
• support and develop care plan reviews
• provide information for analysis and research
• Help health and social care commissioners respond to data requests and statutory self assessments

Statistical information which does not identify individual network member’s, is made available to planners and service providers within Dudley Council, the CCG, Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley Group of Hospitals

What information is held?

The register includes information to identify needs and plan future services. This includes:

• personal details
• health needs
• services involved in the care of the individual
• benefit details
• details of family
• list of care plans in place
• a person’s abilities and skills and needs
• a person’s preferences

The information on the database is protected under the Data Protection Act 1998 and only the designated LD Network staff are allowed to see the information. All information is handled confidentially in line with legislation and best practice

It’s important that the database is updated whenever the circumstances of an individual changes so that professionals can identify needs and provide appropriate service based on accurate information

Where possible we would like the individual to tell us about changes but updates can also be notified by anyone engaged in caring for the person or interested in his/her welfare. This may include:

• parents or other relatives
• paid or unpaid carers
• professionals involved in the care of the individual such as social workers, speech and language therapists or the health facilitation team
• other service providers

Updates can be forwarded by e-mail or telephone