Camden learning disabilities
service
Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE
Phone: 020 7974 3737 Fax: 020 7974 3759/3764
Referring clients to the Camden Learning Disabilities Service
The Camden Learning Disabilities Service (CLDS) is an integrated health and social care
service for adults with learning disabilities living in or supported by the London Borough
of Camden. We define learning disabilities according to internationally recognised criteria
including those of the World Health Organisation (ICD-10) and American Psychiatric
Association (DSM-IV).
People with learning disabilities experience life-long impairments in cognitive and
adaptive functioning.
Cognitive functioning is assessed using a standardised measure of intelligence. The
measure that is used most often is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition.
This involves the completion of a number of “Verbal” and “Performance” sub-tests and
yields a Full-Scale IQ score. Learning disabilities are partially defined by a Full Scale IQ
score of less than 70.
Children with Learning Disabilities typically need additional support at school which is
recognised through the statementing system. A statement of Special Educational Needs
identifies the support that is required which might include additional classroom support,
or education within a school for children with special needs.
Adaptive functioning is assessed through interview, observation and/or the completion
of standardised checklists such as the Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (ABAS).
Learning disabilities are partially defined where a significant, life-long impairment in at
least two major areas of functioning is identified. The areas we assess include
communication, community use, functional academics, home living, health & safety,
leisure, self-care, self-direction, social and work skills.
Both the cognitive and adaptive functioning of the person are considered when we
assess whether someone has Learning Disabilities. There are many people who would
score less than 70 on an assessment of cognitive functioning but who do not have
significant problems in adaptive functioning, and we would not consider these individuals
to have Learning Disabilities.
Other people who are unlikely to be considered to have learning disabilities include:
people whose impairments in cognitive or adaptive functioning occurred after the age of
12 years, caused by neurological illness or injury, mental health problems or drug or
alcohol misuse and individuals with specific learning difficulties, including Dyslexia and
Dyspraxia, who do not have an IQ score of less than 70.
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What is needed to support the assessment of learning disabilities?
If you are referring someone you think has learning disabilities,
we would like you to provide the following:
1. If you are referring a young adult, evidence that the person was assessed as having
Special Educational Needs. This might be a copy of the original statement of Special
Educational Needs or an Educational Psychologist’s report.
2. Evidence that the person has a significant impairment in his/her cognitive functioning
(which has not been caused by neurological illness or injury, mental health problems or
drug or alcohol misuse after the age of 12 years). This would typically be a report on the
outcome of a full cognitive assessment completed within the last 3 years. If this is not
available but you have resources in your service to complete this assessment, we would
ask that this is done prior to making the referral.
3. Evidence that the person has a significant impairment in his/her adaptive functioning
(which has not been caused by neurological illness or injury, mental health problems or
drug or alcohol misuse after the age of 12 years). This would typically be a report on the
outcome of an assessment of adaptive functioning completed within the last 5 years. If
this is not available but you have resources in your service to complete this assessment,
we would similarly ask that this is done prior to making the referral.
4. Any additional supporting information, such as the results of genetic screening,
relevant medical reports, previous Psychological and Occupational Therapy assessments
and school reports.
5. A signed consent form, showing that the individual understands why he/she has been
referred to Camden Learning Disabilities Service and that he/she agrees to participate in
the assessment.
If you would like to make a referral for learning disabilities assessment, please provide
the information specified on the next two pages and forward this to:
Duty Care Manager, CLDS, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE.
NB. If the person you are referring has urgent social care needs, please identify these
within your referral and also contact the CLDS duty care manager on 020 7974 3761.
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Camden learning disabilities
service
Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE
Phone: 020 7974 3737 Fax: 020 7974 3759/3764
Learning Disabilities Assessment Referral Form
Name of Referrer………………………..………………………………………………………………..……….
Position…………………………………..…………………………………………………………………..………….
Address……………………………………………………………………………….………….……………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….……………………..………………………..
Contact telephone no……………………………………………………………...…………………………….
Contact e-mail………………………………………………………………………...………………………………
Date……../………./………...
Individual referred……………………………………………….………….…………………………………....
DoB …………………………………..…………..
Address………………………………………….………………………………………….…………………………….
………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………..………..
Contact telephone no……………………………………………………..……………………………………….
Please identify the highest level of educational attainment of the
individual you are referring:
Left school with no qualifications _____
Obtained NVQ qualifications _____
Obtained GCSE qualifications _____
Obtained A-Level qualifications _____
Other qualifications_____
Please describe why you feel this individual may have learning disabilities, the
definition of which is outlined on the previous pages
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Does the individual currently have any urgent social care needs? If so, please
specify
Contact details of other organisations and agencies that may hold
information which would support this assessment
With the referral, please also include the following:
- The learning disabilities assessment consent form, signed by the individual
referred.
- Copies of any medical, social or educational reports you hold that would
facilitate the learning disabilities assessment.
If you need any further advice about making a learning disabilities assessment
referral, please contact the Duty Care Manager at CLDS – 020 7974 3761.
Please return the completed referral form to:
Duty Care Manager
Camden Learning Disabilities Service (CLDS)
Camden Town Hall
Judd Street
London
WC1H 9JE
CP
24/10/11
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Camden learning disabilities service
Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE
Phone: 020 7974 3737 Fax: 020 7974 3759/3764
Learning disabilities assessment consent form
Camden Learning Disabilities Service
Camden Town Hall, Judd Street
London WC1H 9JE
020 7974 3737
clds@camden.gov.uk
I understand that I have been referred to the
Camden Learning Disabilities Service (CLDS) by:
name
job title
to find out if I have learning disabilities and can get support
from this service.
I am happy to take part in this assessment and for my
doctor and other staff to provide information to CLDS
which would help in this assessment.
Name ___________________________________
Signature:
Date _________________________
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