Help us reach our campaign target: Become a member
The Bristol Cable

Diary of a learning disabilities nurse

On the centenary of the establishment of the profession, a student learning disabilities nurse explains the crucial daily work they do.

Voices

Photo: istock

My chosen profession, learning disability nursing, was established as a practice 100 years ago this year – although there have been several threats to the specialised role over the years. As I’m about to graduate, I want to offer a glimpse into the type of work that we do, and why it remains important, with the following account of my experiences. 

Overall, working with people with different types of learning disability and across healthcare settings, our values are based on independence, inclusion and accessibility. We seek to practice in a way that enables people to put their own wishes, goals and ambitions before their obstacles. All this is important to meeting the health needs of this population. 

In the following accounts all names and identifying information have been changed.

This diary is a montage of experiences.

Correction: In an earlier version of this article, this role was mistakenly called ‘learning difficulties nurse’. While learning disabilities nurses support people with some learning difficulties too, there isn’t a separate nursing role for people with learning difficulties.

Comments

Report a comment. Comments are moderated according to our Comment Policy.

Post a comment

Mark if this comment is from the author of the article

By posting a comment you agree to our Comment Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related content

Listen: Bristol Unpacked, with councillor Christine Townsend on taking on the Merchant Venturers over educational inequality

Green councillor and education rights campaigner Christine Townsend on fighting discriminatory school selection practices and the prospect of taking power in Bristol.

Funding reinstated for SEND charity at heart of council social media spying row

A charity representing parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities, which lost government funding after Bristol City Council withdrew its backing, has had the money restored in a major U-turn.

Progress on Bristol’s SEND failings but relationships with parents still troubled, inspectors find

Report by Ofsted and Care Quality Commission says now up to government to decide next steps, as inquiry into alleged social media spying looms.

Bristol councillors vote for independent inquiry to investigate monitoring of SEND parents

Opposition councillors clashed yet again with the mayor and cabinet member for education Asher Craig over allegations of social media 'spying'.

Charities distance themselves from council review into ‘spying’ on SEND parents’ social media

As councillors prepare to vote on an independent inquiry into alleged online surveillance of parents of children with special educational needs, third parties named in an internal report have challenged the council's narrative.

Council forced to pay out compensation after failing SEND student for months

The teenager missed half a year of speech and language therapy that they should have received.

Join our newsletter

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter to get our weekly round-up direct to your inbox every Saturday

Join our newsletter

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter

Get our latest stories & essential Bristol news
sent to your inbox every Saturday morning