Learning Disability

Learning Disability2026-04-22T14:37:04+01:00

Forum Central coordinates a network of third sector learning disability organisations in Leeds.

We support our members to improve services and opportunities for people with learning disabilities in Leeds.

More than 100 third sector organisations are members. They work with and for people who have learning disabilities in Leeds. Forum Central facilitates relationships across the membership by working across all sectors, using partnership working, facilitating collaboration, and connecting with decision makers.

For more information on joining the Learning Disability network please contact us.

Logo. An outline of blue hexagon with a a smaller hexagon in the middle. Text reads: Learning Disability

More about this Network

The aim of the network is to drive positive change for people with learning disabilities. Forum Central aids this by developing the network of third sector organisations working for positive health and care outcomes for people with learning disabilities in Leeds. This development is facilitated practically by connecting people, sharing information, campaigning, hosting events, networking, representing members and influencing health and care strategies in the city.

Forum Central have built up excellent working relationships with partners in the third sector, with the council, including care management teams and commissioners, and with colleagues from across all areas of health services in the city. We work in ways that ensure people with learning disabilities voices are heard and that services are designed to be person-centred and tailored to priority and individual needs.

Get in touch

Dominique Burley
Dominique Burley

 0113 242 1321

[email protected]

Learning Disability Member Meet ups 

We hold regular Learning Disability Members meet ups, open to everyone with an interest in the learning disability third sector. These meetings are an opportunity to network, get the latest strategic updates and hear from guest speakers.

These are also attended by statutory services including Leeds City Council Commissioning Team, to encourage direct conversation between members and commissioners.

To confirm attendance at member meet up or for more information please contact hello@forumcentral.org.uk.

Learning Disability Network Meeting:

  • Thursday 11 June 2026 – 10.00 am – 11.40 am
  • Thursday 17 September 2026 – 10.00 am – 11.40 am

Next Joint Network Meeting dates:

  • Nov / Oct 2026 – TBC

Learning Disability Member Meet Up Notes

Please email [email protected] for previous meeting notes not listed below.

2026 Meetings

    Learning Disability Pop-Up Sessions

    The Pop-Up sessions with the Care Management Team, hosted at Technorth, provide a great opportunity for Forum Central members to talk to the Care Managers about your services, and what you can offer people with a learning disability in the city, in an informal setting.

    If you would like to host a stall, please get in contact with [email protected] for more information.

    International Day of Disabled People – Leeds For All

    International Day of Disabled People (IDODP) is observed annually on 3 December. In Leeds a celebration event is coordinated the Leeds for All working group. The Learning Disability network is part of the group, lead by our Physical Sensory Impairment network, alongside members from Leeds City Council, and a range of third sector health and care organisations.

    Leeds for All has coordinated events to mark International Day of Disabled People each year between 2019 – 2024. The most recent event was held on Tuesday 3 December 2024 at Leeds City Museum. To find out more about IDODP and Leeds For All, please go to our IDODP page linked here.

    City wide representation at Boards, working groups and meetings

    To find out more about Forum Central’s link to key learning disability meetings in Leeds, click on the links below.

    Leeds Learning Disability Partnership Board

    The Leeds Learning Disability Partnership Board meets quarterly and is made up of, councillors, commissioners from health and social care, people with learning disabilities, advocacy, reference groups including family carers and the people’s parliament, forums including Forum Central and providers from statutory, third sector and public health services.

    The board focuses its work around the Being Me Strategy 2018-2021 and is the strategic board for learning disabilities in Leeds. The aim of the strategy is that Leeds is the best city to live in for people with learning disabilities. 

    The strategic work is divided into task groups with themed leads: Being Well, Being Social, Being Safe, Employment and Travel.

    The Board has 2 Chairs – A Councillor from the local authority and a People’s Parliament representative.

    Leeds Autism Partnership Board

    The Leeds Autism Partnership Board meets quarterly and is made up of, councillors, commissioners from health and social care,  autistic people, advocacy, reference groups including family carers, forums including Forum Central and providers from statutory, third sector and public health services.

    The board focuses its work around the Leeds Autism Strategy, which is currently being updated. The previous strategy ran from 2017 – 2022 and more information can be found on the PDF document. It is a strategic board focused on autism, in Leeds. The priorities are: 

    • To continue to make services that everyone can use more accessible to autistic people.
    • To continue to maintain or increase (if necessary) a minimum necessary level of specialist resources.
    • To work towards the needs of autistic people being considered within all other relevant planning and oversight bodies.
    • To work in partnership. It is very common for autistic people to have more than one condition – so partnerships between different agencies become even more important.
    Being Me Strategy – Task Groups

    Leeds Autism and Learning Disability Employment Task Group

    Being Well Task Group

    Being Social Task Group

    The Task Groups are different partnership groups that work to improve employment, health or social opportunities for people with a learning disability, across Leeds. They form part of the Being Me Strategy, a city-wide plan aimed at ensuring people with learning disabilities are well, safe, and connected. More information on the strategy and themes can be found in this PDF document. The strategy is due to be updated, but workstreams currently remain the same. 

    The Task Groups bring together a wide range of partners, experts by experience, third sector organisations, public services, and employers from across all sectors. Working collaboratively, groups generally aim to:

    • Improve access to meaningful, paid work for people with learning disabilities, healthcare or social activities/day-to-day life. 
    • Support people/professionals to become more confident and inclusive.
    • Strengthen pathways into work, training, and volunteering.
    • Promotion of opportunities and increased partnership working.
    • Promote digital inclusion so people are not left behind in an increasingly online world.
    The People’s Parliament

    The People’s Parliament meets quarterly and is a group of adults with learning disabilities. There are around 40 members. They:

    • Tell the Learning Disability Partnership Board what is important to people with learning disabilities and their families.
    • Share information about plans and changes to services with people outside the meetings.
    • Provide opportunities for people to share ideas and support each other.

    Forum Central attends the People’s Parliament meetings.

    Learning from Death and Lives, people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR)

    The LeDeR programme, funded by NHS England and NHS Improvement, was established in 2017 to improve healthcare for people with a learning disability and autistic people. LeDeR aims to:

    • Improve care for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
    • Reduce health inequalities for people with a learning disability and autistic people.

    LeDeR summarises the lives and deaths of people with a learning disability and autistic people who died in England in annual reports. Prevent people with a learning disability and autistic people from early deaths. More information and current reports are on the website. 

    LeDeR reviews

    Forum Central has a seat on the panel for West Yorkshire LeDeR reviews.

    Integrated care systems (ICSs) of health and care providers complete LeDeR reviews, looking at the health and social care received by people with a learning disability and autistic people who have died at age 18 and above, using a standardised review process. This enables the local system to identify good practice and what has worked well, as well as where improvements in the provision of care could be made. Local actions are taken to address the issues identified in reviews. More information is on the website.

    Learning Disability Digital Inclusion Network (ALaDDIN)

    The Autism & Learning Disability Digital Inclusion Network (‘ALaDDIN’) brings together 20 Third Sector organisations in Leeds to improve digital inclusion and participation for people with autism or learning disabilities, supporting the ambition to make Leeds the most digitally inclusive city for everyone.

    Forum Central supports the work of the network.

    Learning Disability news and events

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