Learning Disability Nursing Award

Learning disability nurses help people of all ages with learning disabilities to maintain their health and wellbeing and to live their lives as fully and independently as possible.

Open to registered nurses working in learning disability services. This award aims to recognise those who have succeeded in raising standards of care for their patients and clients and have made an outstanding contribution to the care of service users.

A registered learning disability nurse working in a clinical role or managing clinical services within learning disability services across Scotland. 

The nominee should clearly demonstrate:

• a commitment to person-centred care, innovation and delivering high quality services that make a difference to the people receiving care
• the positive impact of their work for patients, families and colleagues
• the use of a credible evidence base and/or developing an evidence base to underpin the work for which they are being nominated
• how their work contributes to the delivery of local and national policy and strategy within health and social care.
  

If you have any questions or queries regarding the awards, please get in touch by emailing scotlandnurseawards@rcn.org.uk

Return to the homepage

NHS Tayside

The NHS Tayside CAMHS Intellectual Disability Outpatient Team initiative was launched after being inspired by the Scottish government’s Keys to Life framework, aimed at empowering individuals with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. The project focused on improving access to assessment and treatment for children and young people with intellectual disabilities. It involved recruiting a team of professionals and expanding and improving their skill set, enhancing collaboration with various sectors, and implementing person-centred support frameworks. Challenges were minimal, due to the dedication of the team. Evaluation showed significant improvements, including reduced waiting times, increased access to services, and better outcomes for patients. The initiative received positive feedback from families and has been shared with the Scottish government and wider health care community. Plans include further training for staff, expanding support groups, and improving patient journeys through ongoing analysis and feedback.

Queen's Nursing Institute for Scotland (QNIS)

The QNIS Think COULD animation project aims to raise awareness about the need for better support for individuals with learning disabilities in the justice system. Funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing, the project involved eight learning disabilities nurses from Scotland completing the Queen’s Nurse development programme and creating an evidence-based project focused on adults with learning disabilities and the justice system. The key aims of the project were to co-design and produce an outcome to reduce inequalities, develop an accessible resource for practitioners about learning disabilities and reasonable adjustments, and highlight the unique contribution learning disabilities nurses make in reducing inequalities. The project identified gaps in support for people with learning disabilities in justice services and engaged with stakeholders, including those with lived experience of justice services, to address these gaps. The team developed an animation called Think COULD, emphasising Communication, Observe, Understand, and Learning Disability, as an educational tool. The animation was designed to be accessible, educational, and inclusive, with representation from diverse perspectives. It was launched in May 2023 and has had a significant impact, being embedded in Police Scotland training resources, shared with relevant organisations, and informing policy and practice.

William Fraser Centre, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, NHS Lothian

The team has demonstrated exceptional dedication, courage, and compassion in their work in a challenging behaviour unit. Despite facing scepticism and negativity, they successfully transitioned a complex patient journey to a personalised, nurturing environment, improving both patient and staff safety. Through meticulous care, including personalised sensory adjustments and cultural considerations, they have enhanced the patients’ quality of life and reduced challenging incidents. Their innovative approaches and commitment to positive interaction have garnered impressive results, including increased patient trust and engagement. Despite initial reluctance from some staff members, the team's positive attitude and advocacy have fostered a supportive environment, setting a strong example for others. Their achievements include significant improvements in patient care, such as increased personal hygiene, improved staff interaction and fostering trusting relationships among patients and staff. Overall, the team's dedication and success reflect their unwavering commitment to person-centred care and continuous improvement.

Community Learning Disability Senior Charge Nurse, Falkirk Learning Disability Team, NHS Forth Valley

Described by her team, in the nicest possible way, as infectious. As soon as Laura joined the Falkirk LD Integrated team she knew this was where she was meant to be. Laura’s nomination centres around a work programme she leads to support people with a learning disability to develop healthy relationships – an ability she says her patients have often been denied. With a strong and confident team behind her, she set about understanding individual needs to tailor the service and ensure it is adaptable to individual needs. She developed an eight-week programme on cyber safety and is currently working with her team and the wider multi-disciplinary team to develop support for those who experience gender based violence – working to embed trauma informed practice and improve the support offered by staff. One of Laura’s key achievements is ensuring that the team can now provide a consistent and equitable service across her locality, which she has achieved by sharing learning, upskilling colleagues and creating avenues for patients to be educated. Laura has ensured all the team’s work is rooted in strong evidence, working with sexual health nursing, local organisations who support gender based violence sufferers, and NHS Scotland to produce guidance for practitioners. Laura is keen to promote LD nursing and is working with universities to support practice placements. Her goal is to eventually go into high schools to promote LD nursing, and nursing in general, as a career choice.