The healthcare needs of individuals with learning disabilities can be the same as the general population, however they are often more complex depending on the nature of their learning disability and other associated needs. As a skilled learning disability nurse you could be supporting or caring for individuals with a learning disability who may have health and social care needs in a range of settings. You will be key in facilitating prompt access to services with reasonable adjustments, as well as contributing to preventative and anticipatory care.<br><br>The course provides you with the skills to support people with learning disabilities and complex physical and mental health needs so you can provide interventions that improve outcomes and enable people to live more fulfilling and healthy lives. You and the individual with a learning disability will be at the centre of learning and practice. Learning disability nurses must use a person-centred approach and you will develop knowledge about a range of well established approaches, tools and strategies to utilise in delivering person-centred care.<br><br>The programme begins with exploring these person-centred approaches and developing the fundamentals of nursing. In years two and three you will build upon evidence-based knowledge and advanced skills both in theory and practice. This prepares you to be inquisitive, questioning, empowered, focused, clinically skilled and cognitively adaptable. Our curriculum is carefully designed to enable you be able to practice confidently and competently, whilst also giving you the opportunity to develop and refine your clinical skills in a safe and controlled setting before going onto clinical placement.<br><br>Individuals with learning disabilities are amongst one of the most socially excluded and vulnerable groups in the UK today who often experience . serious health inequalities.50% of people with a learning disability will have at least one significant health problem, higher rates of mental health issues and dementia when compared to their non-disabled peers (Public Health England, 2018). They are also living longer and thus experiencing health needs associated with older age.<br><br>You will develop a vast range of skills as a learning disability nurse to help overcome these barriers and challenges. This may include helping individuals to access services, assessing health and social care needs, providing interventions to maintain and improve health and and promote wellbeing, and acting to safeguard and protect the rights of people with learning disabilities.