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Learning disability nurse
Hours
37.5 per week
Starting salary
£21,176 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
As a learning disability nurse, you would work with people of all ages who need assistance with aspects of everyday life. You would provide them with specialist healthcare and would help people by teaching them skills and giving them the encouragement and confidence they need to live as independently as they can. You may also counsel and advise clients' families and carers.
Your work with clients would often begin with an assessment of their health and social care needs. These are likely to be complex and may also be linked to physical disabilities, epilepsy, mental health problems or difficulties with speech, hearing or vision.
You would provide support to your clients to meet their individual needs, which would include making sure they had access to the right health services, treatment or therapy.
Your day-to-day duties would involve leading activities that promote health, wellbeing and independence, which could include giving practical help and encouragement with:
- personal hygiene
- dressing
- using public transport
- going on shopping trips
- pursuing leisure interests or community activities
- making and attending appointments
- finding a job.
You could also work with clients in their place of employment, in adult education, in school, residential or community centres, and in their home (for example helping them bring up a family).
Your may also mentor and supervise support workers, and provide specialist advice to the wider healthcare team including doctors, physiotherapists, speech therapists, social workers and teachers.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week, which could include evenings, weekends, night shifts and bank holidays as 24 hour care may be required. Many NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers offer flexible hours or part-time work. Extra hours may also be available as overtime.
You could work in setting ranging from clients’ homes, residential units, hostels and day centres attached to hospitals, to mainstream or special schools.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Nurses can earn between £21,176 and £27,534 a year.
- Team leaders and managers can earn between £30,460 and £40,157.
- Nurse consultants can earn up to £55,945.
Extra allowances may be paid to those living in or around London.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To work as a learning disability nurse, you need a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved degree or Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing (learning disability branch). It is important to note that nursing diplomas are being phased out between September 2011 and early 2013. By September 2013, all nursing programmes will be at degree level only.
To get on to an approved course, you need:
- proof of your English and maths skills, good health and good character
- evidence of recent successful study experience (especially if you have been out of education for some time)
You will also need Criminal Records Bureau clearance (a criminal conviction does not automatically exclude you from working within the NHS).
For this branch you will also usually need relevant experience, paid or unpaid, of working with people with learning disabilities or care work. Contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for further advice. Information on volunteering can also be found at your local Volunteer bureau or through charitable organisations.
Course providers can also set their own academic entry requirements, which can include:
- nursing diploma – five GCSEs (A-C) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject
- nursing degree – usually the same GCSEs as the diploma, plus two or three A levels, possibly including a biological science or equivalent.
Some institutions offer Advanced Diplomas in Learning Disability Nursing. This qualification and the entry requirements for it lie between diploma and degree level.
Check with universities for exact entry details because alternative qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may also be accepted. For a list of degree and diploma course providers and application advice, visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service website.
The NMC are raising the minimum level of pre-registration nurse education from diploma to degree. The first degree programmes following the new standards are expected to begin September 2011. The final opportunity to start the nursing diploma will be Spring 2013. From September 2013, students will ONLY be able to qualify as a nurse by studying for a degree.
Funding – nursing students starting study in 2011 on the diploma and degree courses attract a non-repayable bursary to cover living expenses.Those starting their studies on an approved nursing course from September 2012 will receive a non-means tested grant of £1,000, an additional means tested bursary of up to £4,395 per year (£5,460 for students in London) and a reduced rate non-means tested loan. . Check the NHS Student Bursaries website for information and eligibility details.
Alternative entry routes:
You could prepare for a nursing course through a two-year Cadet Scheme or Apprenticeship. Schemes vary between NHS Trusts, but usually combine clinical placements and working towards an NVQ or QCF qualification at Level 3 in Health. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.
Contact your local NHS Trust for details of cadet schemes in your area.
If you are a healthcare assistant with an NVQ Level 3 in Health (and support from your employer) you may be able to complete nurse training on a part-time basis by applying for a secondment. You would receive a salary and once qualified, you may need to work with the NHS Trust that funded you for a minimum period.
If you have a first or second class honours degree in a health or nursing related subject, you could qualify as a nurse by taking an accelerated programme for graduates. You can search for courses on the NHS Careers Course Finder facility.
As a nurse trained outside the UK and EEA, you may need to complete the Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) before you begin work. Occasionally, EEA trained nurses may also be required to take an aptitude test (or similar) in order to prove professional competence (see the NMC website for details).
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are on a nurse training programme, you will divide your time between university and supervised placements in local hospitals and the community. Courses usually take three years full-time to complete.
During the first year you will follow the Common Foundation Programme, which includes:
- an introduction to the four branches of nursing and maternity care
- developing observational, communication and caring skills
- studying anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, social policy
- learning core practical caring skills.
For the remaining two years you will specialise in the learning disability branch and work in relevant clinical and community settings.
As a qualified nurse you must renew your professional registration with the NMC every three years. To re-register you need to have worked a minimum of 450 hours and completed at least 5 study days to support professional development every three years. Check with the NMC for details.
If you are a former registered nurse wishing to return to the profession, you can take a return-to-practice course. Contact your local NHS Trust for details.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- the ability to relate well to people of all ages and backgrounds
- maturity, patience, compassion and sensitivity
- excellent communication and listening skills
- the ability to teach and encourage clients to develop their skills
- the ability to gain the trust of clients and their families
- physical and mental stamina
- the ability to stay calm and in control in difficult situations
- a genuine desire to help people
- assertiveness with the ability to represent a client’s interests
- self awareness, resourcefulness and emotional resilience
- a flexible approach to work
- the ability to work as part of a team
- the ability to recognise signs of physical or emotional problems.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 
23 Portland Place
London
W1B 1PZ
Tel: 020 7333 9333
www.nmc-uk.org
Queens University of Belfast
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Medical Biology Centre
97 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7BL
Tel: 028 9097 2233
www.qub.ac.uk
University of Ulster at Jordanstown
School of Nursing
Shore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 0QB
Tel: 08700 400 700
www.ulster.ac.uk
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare
Innovation House
Bridgend Road
Llanharan
CF72 9RP
Tel: 01443 233 333
www.nliah.wales.nhs.uk/
NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Skills for Health
Goldsmiths House
Broad Plain
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
www.skillsforhealth.org.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs within the NHS. You could also work within the private sector, the prison service, and local authority social services.
With experience, you could specialise in an area such as sensory disability, or go on to lead of team in a residential setting or manage a learning disability unit. You may also progress into other management roles, such as community matron or director of nursing.
You could go on to train in another branch of nursing by completing a ‘second registration’ course (these take around one year and you will usually need evidence of recent study and financial support from your employer). You could also train as a health visitor.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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