Support for adults with learning disabilities

Supported living and residential services for adults with learning disabilities

Living with a learning disability should never mean living without choice. So with Lifeways, everything we do is driven by you and your circle of support. We pride ourselves on creating tailored plans that evolve with your needs and enhance your quality of life.

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a neurological condition that affects the brain’s ability to send, receive and process information. This means that people with a learning disability may find it harder when it comes to daily life skills like reading, writing and caring for themselves. Everyone’s learning disabilities are unique. There are different types and severities of learning disabilities, which means that everyone will experience slightly different challenges.

To find out more about what a learning disability is and how it can affect a person’s daily life, read our guide on supported living for young adults with learning disabilities.

Learning Disability support that’s tailored to each individual

Like everything with Lifeways, our approach puts the individual at the heart of all that we do. It means we listen, we learn, and we build a relationship alongside building a support plan that’s unique to each person.

We’ve been supporting people living with learning disabilities for more than 30 years. So, we understand that the challenges people face can vary, ranging from mild symptoms to more severe and challenging traits

That’s why our services for adults with learning disabilities vary too, with the flexibility that allows us to adapt our approach to each individual, to help them live their best life - regardless of their needs.

Make a referral

Supported living for people with learning disabilities

We offer a range of different support for people living with learning disabilities that are designed to meet individual needs. This might help with maintaining independence or provide encouragement to achieve a particular goal. The level of support we provide is completely flexible - whether it's just a few hours a week or 24-7, we adapt our plan for each person.

To find out more information, please take a look at our guide on supported living for adults with learning disabilities.

One of our support options is supported living for adults with learning disabilities, where our team helps people live safely and comfortably in their own homes. In this setting, we work closely with housing associations, private landlords and local agencies to offer community-based support, which could include a flat scheme or shared property.

Our locations offer plenty of choice and flexibility, too. Our supported living apartments provide stylish, purpose-built surroundings that ensure people with learning disabilities can live more independently in their own homes.

Read our blog to learn more about the process of getting support for someone with a learning disability

Residential care for Learning Disabilities

For those with more complex support needs, our residential care provides an environment where people can live with the reassurance of one-to-one care in a community setting. Our learning disability care homes give people with learning disabilities the opportunity to live together and receive 24/7 support from our highly trained and dedicated teams.

All of our homes are located in the heart of local communities with excellent transport links, and provide the perfect setting to enjoy exploring new places, meeting up with family and friends and getting involved in new hobbies and interests. We have many different residential care facilities all over the UK. Use our location finder to find specialist learning disability support near you.

Whatever the situation, we’ll always work seamlessly with individuals and their families, as well as landlords and local agencies. The result? Totally tailored, community-based support that improves lives.

Make a referral

How can I stay involved in my loved one's care?

Once your loved one is moved in, we encourage friends and family to visit at any time - you are always welcome! If you wish to speak to a member of the management team, it is advisable to let us know beforehand so they can be available to speak to you. 

If your loved one’s needs change, be assured that we continually assess and review each person’s needs to ensure we are providing the best level of support. Where possible, our aim is always to support each person to greater independence.

How do I begin the process of applying for supported living?

If you or your loved one with a learning disability has not had social care support before, the first step is to talk to your GP or local council. They will give you a social care worker, usually called a social worker. The social worker will:

1. Ask you some questions using a checklist
2. Find out what support you need
3. Decide if you need a full health check

Lifeways can help you with this process. If you would like advice, please contact us. You can find local authority adult social care services and learn how to get a care needs assessment on our page for families and individuals. 

How we support the transition from children's to adult services

Transitioning to adult services is a significant and exciting milestone for a young person with learning disabilities. We understand that change can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why thoughtful planning and preparation are so important. 

At Lifeways, we’ve supported many young adults with learning disabilities as they move into adult services, and we’re here to guide and support your whole family throughout the journey - find out more about how Lifeways support the transition to adult services. 

Sam's story