Learning disability support at home
Support that helps an adult with a learning disability live the life they choose: at home, at work or college, and with friends. The person helps choose who supports them.
What a learning disability is
A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their life, and it is different for everyone. Everyone with Down's syndrome has some level of learning disability, and so do many people with cerebral palsy (NHS). Mencap has advice and support.
What a carer does in an ordinary week
- Keeps a routine the person is happy with
- Helps with getting from place to place, and learning routes
- Money and post, with the person in charge
- Appointments, including the annual health check
- Home, meals and shopping
- Work, college, clubs and friends
Good support prompts first and only does things for the person where they need it, so skills and confidence grow.
Choosing the right person, together
- Write down what matters to the person: interests, routines, what they like and don't like
- Read profiles together
- Start with a short call or video chat
- Begin with short visits doing something the person enjoys
Health checks and hospital stays
- In England, anyone aged 14 or over on their GP's learning disability register can have a free annual health check
- A hospital passport tells hospital staff about the person and the reasonable adjustments they need
Decisions
Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in England and Wales, an adult is assumed to be able to make their own decisions unless it is shown they can't. They must be given help to decide, and making a decision others think is unwise doesn't mean they lack capacity.
Care and clinical care
Carers give personal and practical care. Clinical tasks, such as injections, wound care or changing a catheter, come from the NHS team unless a carer has been trained for that specific task and it has been agreed with the team. Tell us about all care needs up front so we only introduce carers who can help safely.
Which care fits
Most people use hourly care at set times in the week. Live-in care suits someone who needs support through the day, and respite care gives family carers a break. See also care for young adults.
Help paying for care
- Personal Independence Payment: for people aged 16 or over with difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around, usually under State Pension age for a new claim, and not affected by income or savings (Adult Disability Payment in Scotland)
- Council funding: after a free needs assessment and a means test
- Direct payments: council money you can use to arrange your own care
- NHS Continuing Healthcare: when needs are mainly health needs
- Access to Work: a grant towards practical support at work, such as a support worker or job coach
Rates and rules checked against GOV.UK and the NHS in October 2026. Benefit rates usually change each April.
Tell us about them
The diagnosis, how they are now, routines, and what matters to them.
See matched profiles
Profiles say what experience each carer has, so you can choose with care.
Speak first
Talk to carers by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Care starts
You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.
How carers are checked
Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Other conditions
- Dementia care
- Parkinson's care
- Stroke care
- Palliative and end of life care
- Multiple sclerosis care
- Motor neurone disease care
- Cancer care
- Brain injury care
- Spinal cord injury care
- Cerebral palsy care
- Muscular dystrophy care
- Diabetes care
- Heart disease care
- COPD care
- Arthritis and osteoporosis care
- Sight loss care
- Mental health support
- All conditions
Questions
Can the person choose their own carer?
Yes. They can read profiles, with family support if they want it, and speak to carers before choosing.
What is an annual health check?
A free check once a year for anyone aged 14 or over on their GP's learning disability register, to help find health problems early.
Who decides about care?
The person, wherever they can. Under the Mental Capacity Act, adults are assumed to be able to decide, and must be helped to do so.