These are usually multi-disciplinary teams that may include:  

• registered nurses in learning disabilities 
• psychologists
• psychiatrists 
• occupational therapists 
• speech and language therapists 
• behaviour analysts  
• other allied health professionals. 

Learning disability services have two functions. They can have a facilitative role in supporting primary and secondary health care. They can also provide specialist adaptive interventions where the support required needs specialist intervention or adjustments that are beyond that which would be reasonably expected. 

These teams usually offer an open referral service where referrals can be made to them directly. Your local general hospital may also have a liaison learning disability nurse working there to support people with learning disabilities.  

They can provide advice on meeting the person's learning disability needs and what reasonable adjustments may be required. They may also support linking with the community learning disability services if required and support planning regarding social care or discharge planning needs.