Strategic thinking.

Abstract

The new framework is seen as a positive move to improve the nation's mental health and wellbeing. However, despite the strategy highlighting the needs of people with learning disabilities, the framework offers very little specifically for this group. This raises concern that this group will remain off the radar for those in mainstream services and organisations that could support them to maintain their mental health and wellbeing. With the Valuing People Now team disbanded, there is no nationally-accredited body given the role to champion people with learning disabilities. Those with a learning disability and a mental illness should be able to access services and be treated in the same way as anyone else with reasonable adjustments being made in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (2005) and the Disability Equality Duty (2006). But as the implementation framework is lacking in attention to this group more work will be required by mainstream and specialist organisations to ensure the key messages from the frameworks are applicable to people with learning disabilities.