The Learning Disabilities Review Programme (LeDeR) (2022) Annual report (updated January 2026). Bristol: LeDeR

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NHS England (2018) Stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both (STOMP).

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Mental capacity act (Northern Ireland) 2016.

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Public Health England (2018) (updated 2026) Reasonable adjustments for people with a learning disability. GOV.UK.

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Royal College of Nursing (2021) Connecting for change: for the future of learning disability nursing. London: RCN.

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Clinical resources on RCN Learn

• Explore the range of quality-assured resources and courses we offer on learning disability nursing.

Royal College of Nursing (2026) Safety, equity and expertise: A UK review of learning disability nursing.London: RCN

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Coleg Nyrsio Brenhinol (Royal College of Nursing) (2025) Celebrating learning disability nursing in Wales. RCN.

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Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (2021) Eating and drinking with acknowledged risks: multidisciplinary team guidance for the shared decision-making process (adults).

• Eating and drinking with acknowledged risks refers to the decision to continue eating and drinking despite the associated risks from having dysphagia. These risks may refer to aspiration, malnutrition, dehydration and choking. This publication is endorsed by the RCN.
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Scottish Government: Adults with incapacity: forms and guidance.

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Taggart L, Tripp H, Conder J, Whitehead L, Scott J, Rouse L, Redquest B, Lunsky Y and Truesdale M. (2021) International consensus guidelines: reasonable adjustments in the management of type 2 diabetes in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD): Health Special Interest Research Group.

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We would like to thank the RCN Learning Disability Nursing member community for their input into the development of this subject guide.

Ashworth S, Brotherton N and Carton H (eds.) (2026) A Clinician's guide to neurodivergence: supporting a neuro-affirmative form of practice.  Abingdon: Routledge.

• Access through RCN Library

Barber C (2022) Learning disabilities: a non-specialist introduction for nursing, health and social care. Banbury: Lantern Publishing.

• Access through RCN Library

Childs J (ed.) (2025) A Study skills survival guide for neurodivergent learners: a pick-and-mix of study skills strategies for ADHD, autistic, dyslexic and dyspraxic learners. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

• Access through RCN Library

Finlayson J (2025) Supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people in health and social care. Bridgwater: Class Professional Press.

• Access through RCN Library

Frankish P (2019) Trauma-informed care in intellectual disability: a self-study guide for health and social care support staff. Shoreham by Sea: Pavilion Publishing.

• Access through RCN Library

Hemmings C (2018) Mental health in intellectual disabilities: a complete introduction to assessment, intervention, care and support. 5th edn. Hove: Pavilion Publishing.

• Access through RCN Library

Heslop P and Hebron C (2020) Promoting the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities. Cham: Springer.

• Access through RCN Library

Humphrey S (ed.) (2021) Learning disability placements: a pocket guide. Banbury: Lantern

• Access through RCN Library

Jones H, Page A and Salmon S (2025) An Essential guide to caring for people with a learning disability and autistic people: enabling a cross-field approach.1st edn. London: Routledge.

• Access through RCN Library

Moulster G, Iorizzo J, Ames S and Kernohan J (eds.) (2019) The Moulster and Griffiths nursing model: a framework for learning disability nursing practice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

• Access through RCN Library

Northway R and Hopes P (2022) Learning disability nursing: developing professional practice. St Albans: Critical Publishing

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Sheerin F and Doyle C (eds.) (2023) Intellectual disabilities: health and social care across the lifespan. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.

• Access through RCN Library

• Autism
• Challenging behaviour
• Epilepsy
• Intellectual disabilities
• Learning disability nursing
• Access through RCN Library
• Positive behaviour support
• Safeguarding vulnerable adults

Use these links for details of journal articles on each topic.

• Aggressive behaviour and learning disability
• Autistic spectrum disorders
• Challenging behaviour and learning disability
• Complex needs and learning disability
• Criminal justice services
• Epilepsy
• Health inequalities and learning disability
• Learning disability
• Access through RCN Library
• Safeguarding and learning disability
• Sexuality and learning disabilities

Journals of interest for learning disability nursing. Use these links to see details of availability.

• British journal of learning disabilities
• International journal of developmental disabilities
• Journal of adult protection
• Journal of intellectual disability research
• Learning disability practice
• Sexuality and disability
• Tizard learning disability review

The RCN Archive contains some of the most important collections dedicated to the history of the nursing profession in the UK. Visitors by appointment in Edinburgh.

• RCN Archive catalogue
• RCN Archive