Learning disability nurse

Learning disability nurses are qualified medical experts who work with people with a learning disability, supporting their physical and mental health and providing practical support to enable them to live as independently as possible.  

They support their patients to live a fulfilling life within their community and enable them to make their own choices.

As a learning disability nurse your work might include helping patients with practical things such as getting dressed, preparing food, and using public transport. You’ll make sure your patients have access to the right health services, treatment or therapy, and help them take part in activities and groups. 

Learning disability nurses may also help their patients to learn the skills needed to find work. This can make a huge difference to their lives, helping them to lead a more independent and healthy life where they can relate to others on equal terms.

You’ll work as part of a team with: 

• GPs
• psychologists
• social workers
• teachers 
• occupational therapists
• speech and language therapists 
• healthcare assistants

Learning disability nurses support people of all ages in a range of settings, including: 

• people's homes 
• education 
• workplaces 
• residential and community centres 
• hospitals  
• mental health settings  
• prisons 

Learning disability nurses working in the NHS will usually start on band 5, which goes from £24,214 to £30,112, and you’ll do 37.5 hrs per week as standard. You might work in a shift pattern if you work in a residential setting. With further experience, training and qualifications, learning disability nurses can move into more senior posts with higher salary bands.

If you work in the private or voluntary sectors, or another public sector organisation, your pay and benefits will vary.

As you progress through your career there are plenty of options.

You could choose to specialise in: 

• a sensory disability such as autism 
• a specific setting such as education 

Some nurses go on to roles outside of nursing such as psychological well-being practitioner or high-intensity therapist.

You could also decide to move into working in management, teaching or clinical research.

A learning disability nurse’s work can be physically and emotionally demanding. The results are rewarding but can take a long time to happen. 

People with learning disabilities often take a lot longer to master simple tasks, so being understanding is key for development. No matter how long it takes, a learning disability nurse must give a person time to complete a task. Having a good sense of humour will help along the way!  

Learning disability nurses need to take the time to properly understand each patient’s needs so that frustrating situations can be avoided. 

People with a learning disability all have different learning styles. To support them, you must be able to change the way you work according to the strengths of each person.  

Some patients may function well but have social interaction problems. Others may not be able to perform basic speaking or motor skills. So, whether you’re planning a special outing or just doing everyday activities, you’ll need to be creative in order to accommodate all of a patient’s needs.  

What’s more, a patient’s disabilities may lead them to behave differently each day, so your planning must be flexible as well. You’ll need to allow time to deal with challenging behaviour or other hurdles.  

Excellent communication skills – with the patient, their family, and your colleagues – are crucial to being a successful learning disability nurse. 

You’ll need to be able to listen to your patients and their families, and to understand their needs, in order to plan the right care and treatment.  

Some people find it difficult to express their feelings, especially when they have communication problems.  

They may withdraw or act negatively when they get confused or feel overwhelmed. As a learning disability nurse, you’ll need to use your intuitive skills to uncover the underlying reasons behind that behaviour.  

A learning disability nurse works at the centre of a multi-disciplinary team alongside a lot of other qualified medical professionals. 

As well as working closely with patients' families and carers, you’ll be at the centre of a team that may include:

• GPs
• psychologists
• social workers
• teachers
• occupational therapists
• speech and language therapists
• healthcare assistants 

To deliver the best care, the whole team needs to be able to work together effectively. 

People with learning disabilities can suffer from discrimination. You’ll sometimes need to be assertive and courageous to stand up for your patients and ensure they receive fair and respectful treatment. 

To become a learning disability nurse you’ll need to train and study at a degree level in a course approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council. Some degree courses let you study another area of nursing alongside learning disability nursing.

You may be able to join a nursing degree on the second year of a course if you already have a degree in:

• a health-related subject
• psychology
• life sciences
• social work

Full-time courses usually take three years.

You can find a learning disability nursing course to suit you using the NHS’ Course Finder tool.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need: 

• five GCSEs 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths, and a science
• two or three A levels, including a science, or a Level 3 diploma or Access to higher education in health, science or nursing

You may be able to do a degree apprenticeship in nursing if you work in a healthcare setting like a hospital. The apprenticeship takes around four years and is a mix of academic study and on-the-job training. You must be supported by your employer to take this route.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), and college qualifications like A levels for a degree apprenticeship

You may be able to qualify through an 18-month learning disability nursing conversion course if you're already a registered nurse in a different branch. You'll need to speak to your employer if you want to do this.