Available on the Learning Hub
This programme is available on the NHS Learning Hub. We recommend you read the information on this webpage to find out more about the programme before you access the learning (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/Learning-Disability-Nursing-CPD-Award).
More information about the Learning Hub and the migration of elfh programmes can be found here.
About the Learning Disability Nursing CPD Award programme
The Learning Disability Nursing CPD Award has been specially designed to provide a programme of continuing professional development for learning disability nurses. It can be used as both refresher training for core knowledge, as well as a programme of training to enable progression to various levels of practice and specialist roles. It also provides an opportunity for people from other nursing backgrounds to gain core knowledge about learning disability nursing.
This programme of continuing professional development supports the delivery of the All-England Plan for Learning Disability Nursing. It includes a range of topic areas relating to contemporary learning disability practice, including a foundation module which all learners must complete, followed by 3 specialist clinical pathways that can be chosen from:
- Learning disability nursing within specialist inpatient settings
- Learning disability nursing within community, forensic and intensive support
- Learning disability nursing within primary and acute care liaison
The programme forms a Qualification in Specialism (QiS) to provide a standardised pathway for nurses to develop in their specialist area, and is mapped to the Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting People with a Learning Disability. The curriculum is also mapped to:
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct to support revalidation
- NHS England and Improvement Learning Disability Improvement Standards
- NHS England Long Term Plan
- HEE Competency Standards for Learning Disability and Autism
This flexible and accessible approach to learning enables learning disability nurses to balance their day-to-day practice alongside their continuing professional development.
More information
Learning disability nurses are one of the most diverse and adaptable professional groups, and they work in a variety of settings and roles. The profession continues to serve as a valued field of practice, providing an essential service to people with learning disabilities and their families.
The All-England plan for Learning Disability Nursing is the first of its kind to set out a universal offer for the learning disability nursing profession. It addresses those thinking about a career in learning disability nursing, those training to become a learning disability nurse, and those currently working as learning disability nurses.
The plan aims to invest in continuing professional development, create new competencies and refine specialist roles, and advance a dedicated career structure.
You can find out more about the All-England plan for Learning Disability Nursing here.
Primary and secondary audiences
The primary audience for this programme is learning disability nurses; however, other first level registered nurses from separate specialist fields may wish to further specialise in the field of learning disability, or learn about the profession.
Modules
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Foundation module:
Foundation module:
This first module of the programme comprises of 10 elearning sessions aimed at equipping learners to understand the core principles that underpin learning disability nursing. The module focuses on how these principles and the values upon which they are based are conceptualised. As part evidencing their acquisition of theory into practice, learners will be required to apply this learning to an appropriate clinical scenario. Upon completion of this module learners will progress to complete one of three Specialist Clinical Pathways.
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Pathway 1:
Learning disability nursing within specialist inpatient settingsPathway 1:
This pathway is designed to support practitioners working within any type of specialist learning disability inpatient provision. It combines the acquisition of clinical skills knowledge and experience, describing policy context and current service models, alongside describing the purpose and functions of effective specialist inpatient services. Using clinical scenarios, it provides the learner with the opportunity to apply learning content within their specific clinical area of practice.
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Pathway 2:
Learning disability nursing within community, forensic and intensive supportPathway 2:
This pathway is designed to support practitioners working within any type of specialist learning disability community team. It combines the acquisition of clinical skills knowledge and experience, describing the role and function of specialist community teams. Using clinical scenarios, it provides the learner with the opportunity to the core principles of contemporary practice within their current area of practice.
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Pathway 3:
Learning disability nursing within primary and acute care liaisonPathway 3:
This pathway is designed to support practitioners working within any type of acute or primary care role where the provision of learning disability nursing expertise is required. It describes the necessary competencies required to work in these areas of care, alongside covering some of the core issues where learning disability nursing interventions are beneficial. The pathway will help learners to establish a firm evidence base upon which they apply their fundamental knowledge, skills and experience. Using clinical scenarios, it provides the learner with the opportunity to apply learning content within their specific clinical area of practice.
Acknowledgements
In developing this programme, we offer a special thank you to the National Workforce Skills Development Unit (NWSDU), who piloted, evaluated, and co-produced the programme of learning.
In addition, we are particularly grateful for the support of the Royal College of Nursing, alongside those learning disability nurses who formed part of the pilot group to test the programme content and design.
Ellie Gordon
Mental Health and Learning Disability Lead, NHS England
David Harling
Deputy National Director for Learning Disability Nursing, NHS England
Ben Briggs
Senior Clinical Advisor, NHS England
Rebekka Campbell
Programme Manager, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Essi Niittymaki
Senior Project Manager, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Steve Gibbons
Lead Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Catherine Moran
Graphic Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Rachel Grant
Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Alan Campbell
Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Alex Cleary
Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Roger Ellison
Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Ian Blacklock
Learning Designer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
Kieron Bradshaw
Marketing and Communications Officer, NHSE elearning for healthcare
How to access
To access any elfh programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Learning Disability Nursing CPD Award programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
If you already have an account with elfh, then you can enrol on to the Learning Disability Nursing CPD Award programme by logging in to the elfh Hub, selecting My Account > Enrolment and selecting the programme. You can then access the programme immediately in the My e-Learning section.
NHS healthcare staff in England – ESR
The Learning Disability Nursing CPD Award programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this e-learning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access to the Learning Hub, you may be able to access the service if you have an existing OpenAthens account. Please go to Learning Hub and sign in with your existing credentials.
If you do not have an existing OpenAthens account, please contact elfh directly to check whether you may be eligible for access.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Learning Disability Nursing CPD Award programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub Hub.
Select here for more information on the authorisations process to run reports on the learning activity of staff.
Select the following link for more information about CPD points.