Some people need a lot of care while others want to achieve as much independence as possible. We decide with you what types of services would be best.

Our services are based on giving a combination of care and practical support to help people with a learning disability to lead full and interesting lives. We aim to help people reach their own personal goals according to their abilities.

We work closely with other agencies to provide people with the services that suit them best.

We need to point out that in all our services we give priority to people with the greatest need and this means that not everyone is eligible for all our services.

For more information on services available for people with a learning disability go to Request Factsheets - Adult and Community Services (Social Care).

• Community Learning Disabilities Teams

  Our Community Learning Disabilities teams (CLDT) are the first point of contact for advice, information and guidance on services for people with a learning disability.

• Dorset Learning Disability Partnership Board

  The partnership board's membership is made up of a range of people and organisations who have an interest in improving services for people with learning disabilities.

• Joint Commissioning Strategy for People with a Learning Disability 2010-13

  This strategy describes the services we have now and what services we think we need in the future. After that, we have explained how we think we can make change happen.

• Person Centred Planning

  Dorset County Council and the Learning Disability Partnership board are working with Alison Short the Person Centred planning lead for Dorset to look at how we can make our services more person centred and responsive to the needs of the people who use them.

• Communication

  Information and useful resources to help us in our aim to further increase the use of Total Communication methods for people with learning disabilities in Dorset.

• Day centres for adults with a learning disability

  Day care is at the centre of services we provide to help keep people independent and in their own homes.

• Joint Review Report - Commissioning services and support for people with learning disabilities and complex needs

  A review team visited Dorset in November 2008 to find out how well the council and NHS Dorset were commissioning services and support for people with learning disabilities and complex needs. The review team wrote a report on Dorset, together with a national report on nine areas visited.