The Bassetlaw Children's Learning Disability Service has permanently closed, leaving families of children with moderate to severe learning disabilities without a dedicated local support service.
Only Service of Its Kind
The service, provided by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, was the only dedicated children's learning disability service in the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire area. It offered behavioural support, sleep guidance, continence advice, and social development programmes for children and young people.
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board confirmed the closure, citing low referral numbers as the primary reason. Only 49 referrals were accepted between April 2023 and December 2024.
Concerns Over Alternatives
Families previously supported by the service are being directed to a directory of alternative providers published on the Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust website. However, questions remain about whether these alternatives offer the same specialist provision.
The low referral numbers cited by the NHS could reflect poor awareness of the service rather than low demand. Many families of children with learning disabilities struggle to navigate referral pathways and may not have known the service existed.
What Support Remains
Children and young people with learning disabilities in Bassetlaw can still access general CAMHS services, school-based support through Education, Health and Care Plans, and voluntary sector organisations. However, none of these replicate the specialist, dedicated provision that has now been lost.
The closure comes at a time when demand for children's mental health and disability services across Nottinghamshire continues to grow, with waiting lists for CAMHS assessment stretching to over 12 months in some areas.
Parents who have concerns about their child's support can contact the Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust on 0115 969 1300 or speak to their GP about alternative referral routes.
