Come and help lead our Community of Practice – Kent and Medway Learning Disability and Autism

/ Tracey / Leave a comment

We are a group in Kent and Medway. Staff from different services learn with and from Autistic people and people with a learning disability.

We need you

Do you have a learning disability? Please come forward and help us lead.

  • You know what good support looks like.
  • You can help plan our sessions.
  • You do not need any experience.
  • Your voice matters.

To get involved, sign up or send us an email. Say you would like to help lead.

How it works

  • Lived experts lead. They plan every session.
  • We meet online on Microsoft Teams.
  • It is free.
  • You do not have to come every time.
  • You can speak, type, draw or listen. Listening counts.
  • Nobody has to share personal experiences.

Next meeting

Wednesday 4 November 2026, 12:00 to 14:00, on Teams. We meet on the first Wednesday of every other month.

Who is here?

Over 140 people have joined. We also want more police, fire and rescue staff, and GPs.

Sign up

Sign up here: forms.office.com/e/2eKZTTbGPt

Questions? Email kmmh.ld-autism-admin@nhs.net

Please see the flyer for more information.

 

New Evidence: What Makes Communication Support Work for Adults with Learning Disabilities?

/ dmarsden49 / Leave a comment

Good communication underpins choice, relationships and wellbeing, yet the evidence for what actually works in long-term care has been thin. A new King’s College London blog by research assistant Emily Urwin sets out early findings from the Improving Communication with Adults with Learning Disabilities (ICALD) programme, and it’s worth ten minutes of your time.

The team ran a realist review of the evidence, checked against the experience of people with learning disabilities, carers and professionals, then built on it through workshops, focus groups and interviews to map a Theory of Change for improving practice.

 

Key takeaways:

  • Communication works best when staff hold genuine regard for a person’s ability to communicate and take time to know them beyond task-focused care.
  • It should support enjoyment and shared experience, not just meeting wants and needs.
  • Documentation only helps when it’s kept current and actually used day to day.
  • Training that includes adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities as contributors makes a real difference.
  • Organisations need to treat communication as a human right, backed by leadership and ongoing support.

The findings have already shaped a new workforce development programme for social care staff, now heading into real-world testing. The team has also produced a set of short animations illustrating each element of good communication support, a useful resource for training sessions. View the animations.

Read the original blog: What does good communication look like for adults with learning disabilities living in social care?

More on the project: Improving Communication with Adults with Learning Disabilities

Tackling Health Inequalities & Protecting RNLDs

/ dmarsden49 / Leave a comment

People with learning disabilities face severe, systemic health inequalities—yet specialist Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD) posts are disappearing across the health and care sector.

In this recorded session, Ben Thomas breaks down the findings from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) workforce review. The session examines the critical role RNLDs play in driving equitable care, why training numbers are dropping, and the urgent national calls to action required to protect the workforce.

Key takeaways from the video:

  • The current scale of health disparities affecting people with learning disabilities.

  • Why specialist RNLD roles are irreplaceable in health and social care.

  • Practical recommendations from the RCN to support and retain workforce capacity.

Putting Inclusive Communication into Practice

/ dmarsden49 / Leave a comment

Effective care and support starts with communication—yet inaccessible environments continue to isolate people with learning disabilities across health, social care, and society.

Hosted by the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Learning Disability Community of Practice, this webinar features Alix Lewer (CEO of Include.org) sharing practical strategies, lived-experience insights, and real-world tools to embed inclusive communication into everyday practice.

This recording includes British Sign Language (BSL) communication support.

Key takeaways from the video:

  • Core principles of inclusive communication and why adjustments matter.

  • Practical tools to adapt your practice in care settings.

  • Real-world examples of breaking down barriers for people with communication needs.

New ‘Beyond Words’ Book Club in Herne Bay!!

/ Michael Fullerton / Leave a comment

A new ‘Beyond Words’ Book Club is available, meeting on Friday 25 September. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to come together, and focus on social stories with the use of pictures – for people with learning disabilities and others.
The meeting is 1.30-2.30pm, at The Rossetti Room, Beach House, Beach Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5PT.
To join or to find out more please contact Sue at suec.carmichael@gmail.com or call on 07703770919 ‘Beyond Words’ Book Club | Beach Creative