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The Learning Disability and Autism Service (LDAS) is an adult social care service.
We have a Head of Service and there are three team managers, one for the North, South and West teams. The teams are made up of social workers and social care practitioners.
We work with adults (aged 18 and over) who have a diagnosed learning disability and/or an Autistic Spectrum Condition who have social care needs. We may ask for confirmation of your diagnosis (for example, a GP letter).
We work alongside our colleagues in Wiltshire Health and Care Community Services, Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living, Wiltshire Service Users' Network amongst others.
We also work with our colleagues in Children social care when young people are preparing for adulthood and may transition from a Children's team to LDAS.
What we do
Care Act Assessments
An assessment looks at the things in your life that you can do and the things you may find more difficult to do yourself. You can have a family member/carer, friend and/or advocate with you during your assessment if you want or need to.
Information, advice, signposting
It may be there are groups and services outside the council which may be able to support you. We will give you information about these and can refer you if you would like.
Support planning
If you have eligible social care needs, we may complete a support plan with you to look at the help you might need to stay safe and achieve the things you want to. We aim to review your support plan with you at least once a year.
Yes. LDAS only work with adults (who are aged 18+) who have a formal diagnosis of a learning disability and / or Autism. We may ask for confirmation of your diagnosis (for example, a letter from your GP).
You will not have a permanent allocated worker if you are with the Learning Disability and Autism Service. A worker will be allocated to you to complete an assessment, a review or another piece of work. Once this work is complete and there are no ongoing actions required, the worker will end their allocation, however you will remain open to the team. If you need any help or support from LDAS during periods when you are not allocated to a worker, you can contact us via Advice and Contact.
A Care Act is a conversation between you and your allocated worker to talk about the things you are able to do yourself and the things that you may find more difficult to do yourself and the impact these things have on you.
Your allocated worker will talk to you about where you want your assessment to take place and who you may like to have with you.
Yes you can have someone with you during your assessment to support you if you would like to.
If your allocated worker thinks you would have substantial difficulty in taking part in your assessment, they will ensure that you have someone there to support you. This could be a family member or friend. If you do not have anyone who could support you then your allocated worker will ensure you have a formal advocate to support you.
Your allocated worker will let you know if you are eligible for care and support through adult care following your assessment.
If you have eligible care and support needs that are not being met, your allocated worker will discuss your support plan with you. Your support plan will detail how your needs will be met. It may be your needs could be met through groups in the community, through your own support network and/or through a funded support package.
Your support plan will be reviewed at least annually to see if it still the best way of meeting your needs. This means your support plan may change however this will be discussed with you first.
This will be part of the conversation your allocated worker has with you. Where there are different options available, these will be explained to you and you can discuss your views with your allocated worker.
Transitioning from children's services to adult services:
If you have an existing package with the Children's and Young People's Disability Team, this will transfer to the relevant adult team. Typically, you will not be allocated a worker until a review of you package is required or another piece of work is identified as being needed. You can contact the relevant adult social care team if you do not have an allocated worker via Advice and Contact.
If you do not have an existing package in place, your allocated worker in the Children's team may refer you to the relevant adult services team. They will talk to you about this and get your consent before this happens.
You are also able to refer yourself for an assessment from adult care by contacting Advice and Contact. A family member is also able to refer you via Advice and Contact if you consent.
The Learning Disability and Autism Service is not able to support you with your benefits or housing but we can signpost you to the teams who can.
The Financial Assessment and Benefits (FAB) Team undertake financial assessments to determine whether or not a charge will be made where a community care service is going to be provided by the council. More information can be found on the Financial Assessment and Benefits Team (opens new window) page.
