This Learning Disability Week, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is advertising a new clinical academic post in learning disability nursing, and we wanted to make sure it reaches as many people as possible across the KSS community.

The post is a Lecturer in Academic Learning Disability, based in Canterbury with some travel to Medway, at 0.4 FTE (15 hours per week) on a fixed-term contract of 24 months. It is a clinical academic role, meaning the person appointed will split their time between academic duties and clinical practice — exactly the kind of bridging role that learning disability nursing needs more of.

The role sits within the School of Nursing, Midwifery, Allied and Public Health at CCCU and focuses specifically on the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, curriculum development, practice supervision and assessment, and scholarly activity. There is also a specific remit to develop a sustainable model of long-arm practice assessment, and to work with the Head of Placements to grow learning disability placement capacity in the region.

This is a real opportunity to shape how the next generation of nurses understands and responds to the needs of people with learning disabilities. Every nurse who graduates with better knowledge, skills and confidence in this area is a step towards closing the health inequalities gap.

If you are a registered nurse with a learning disability field background, current NMC registration, and a passion for education, we would encourage you to look at the full job description and person specification. A teaching qualification and HEA Fellowship are listed as desirable rather than essential, so do not let those requirements put you off applying.

You can apply here:
https://staffspace.canterbury.ac.uk/ce0226li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=902714Bjox&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=936091Im1H

Please share this post with anyone in your network who might be interested — colleagues, students approaching registration, or nurses considering a move into academia. The right person for this role may not be actively job-hunting; they may just need someone to forward them this link.

Daniel Marsden, Senior Lecturer in Learning Disabilities and Autism, Canterbury Christ Church University

Seeking parents who have a learning disability.

We want to hear about your experiences of being a parent. This is part of a new study about parents with a learning disability, who would be willing to share their experiences.

Please contact Serena Tomlinson at the University of Kent, at s.tomlinson@kent.ac.uk for more information.

 

Across Kent and Medway, learning disabilities nurses work in every part of the system, community, acute, mental health, forensic services, CAMHS, social care, and beyond. They are often the people who connect services, advocate for individuals, and make the system work for people with learning disabilities.

In February 2026, more than 35 professionals came together to share their experience. What they told us was clear:

Learning disability nursing is vital, but the workforce is under pressure, not always visible in decision-making, and at risk if we do not act together.

From that work, several recommendations were made to Chief Nurses across Kent and Medway. One of the strongest messages was the need for a shared, collective professional voice.

A new opportunity

We are now creating a Kent and Medway Learning Disability Nursing Shared Decision Making Council.
This will be a space where learning disability nurses can come together across organisations and roles to:

• share insight and lived experience from practice
• influence local and system-level decision-making
• support Chief Nurses with advice and professional leadership
• strengthen collaboration and consistency across Kent and Medway

This approach aligns with the national Shared Decision Making Council model, which recognises that leadership should be collective and that every nurse has a valid voice.

Who can get involved?

We are inviting expressions of interest from:

• all registered learning disability nurses
• working in any role, band, or setting
• across any organisation in Kent and Medway

We particularly welcome interest from colleagues from underrepresented groups and different parts of the system to ensure the council reflects the full diversity of the profession.

What to expect

• voluntary role
• virtual meetings every 2 months
• around 1 to 1.5 hours per session
• opportunity to shape the future of the profession locally

Why this matters

The report highlighted that without learning disability nurses, there are clear risks, including missed diagnoses, poorer outcomes and widening inequality.
This council is a practical step to ensure that does not happen and that the voice of the profession is visible, heard and valued.

Get involved

If you are a learning disability nurse working in Kent and Medway and want to be part of this, we would really like to hear from you.
Please complete the Expression of Interest form here:

https://forms.office.com/e/3JVNTNQd2f

Launching during Learning Disability Week
Be part of something that will shape the future of our profession

Free 8 Week Nature-Based Health & Nature Sessions – Folkestone!
East Kent Mencap are offering a free 8 week Nature-Based Health & Wellbeing Programme to adults with learning disabilities and neurodiverse people who wish to improve their mental wellbeing. The course will start 30 June – see poster for more details including a phone number for more details!

People with learning disabilities face serious health inequalities. RNLDs are essential to addressing them — yet specialist posts are disappearing, and fewer people are training as learning disability nurses.

The RCN is publishing a review on the field. This free one-hour webinar, presented by Jonathan Beebee, will examine the findings and the actions being called for.

Thursday 25 June | 12:00–13:00 | Online | Free

Register here 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rcn-learning-disability-nursing-review-tickets-1988481002206

Please share widely with colleagues, students, and anyone interested in learning disability care and support.