Learning difficulties services still lack appropriate work force planning

The health and social care sector is struggling to recruit
appropriately trained staff in the learning difficulties field, a
conference heard last week, writes Anabel Unity
Sale.

Speaking at the Progressing Future – Valuing People with
Learning Disabilities events, London South Bank university dean of
health and social care faculty David Sines told delegates that
“little attention is given to systematic workforce planning,
and this goes beyond the statutory sector.”

Sines estimated that between 83 – 85 per cent of those
working with people with learning difficulties do not have any
professional qualifications.

He said that health and social care workforce strategies need to
work in partnership with the Learning and Skills and Council.

Sines was also very critical about the involvement of seriously ill
people with learning difficulties with some professionals in
service development. He said, “I have to say it’s
appalling the way our colleagues in chronic disease management
involve users. It is completely tokenistic with just one user
sitting on the panel. We have come a long way but we are only on
the first step of the ladder and there is much further to
go.”