Learning Disability and Autism Workforce

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FAQs

Further Information

  • NHS England Workforce, Training and Education Directorate (NHSE WT&E) have commissioned the NHS Benchmarking Network (NHSBN) to deliver a comprehensive profile of the workforce and finance associated with services that support people with a learning disability and autistic people in England as at 31st March 2025. The project is part of a wider programme of projects commissioned by NHSE WT&E.

    NHS England (NHSE) will use the project deliverables to understand the extent to which they are achieving workforce growth goals within learning disability and autism services, building on the 2022/23 Learning Disability and Autism workforce baseline collection and the Health Education England commissioned report on the Learning Disability and Autism workforce, published in June 2022.

    Scope of the census

    NHS Trusts who operate mental health and/or community services, Local Authorities, VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise), ICBs, and Independent sector organisations who provide NHS commissioned Learning Disability & Autism services, within any of the following services:

    • Community forensic teams

    • Intensive support teams

    • Community Learning Disability teams

    • Key working function

    • Community paediatrics

    • Autism assessment pathways

    • ADHD services

    • Neurodevelopmental team

    • Crisis Houses

    • Crash Pads

    • Inpatient services

    • Dynamic Support Register/ Care (Education) Treatment Reviews

    Primary care and SEND provision are excluded from the scope of this census.

    Census Letter

    LDIS/LDSS/LDA Workforce Document

  • Launch Event (including walkthrough)

    Wednesday 15th October, 10:00 - 11:00 Join the meeting

    Recording of the launch event

    Drop-In Sessions

    Tuesday 21st October, 13:00 - 13:30 Join the meeting

    Monday 27th October, 15:30 - 16:00 Join the meeting

    Tuesday 4th November, 13:00 - 13:30 Join the meeting

    Monday 10th November, 15:30 - 16:00 Join the meeting

    Tuesday 18th November, 13:00 - 13:30 Join the meeting

  • Learning Disability and Autism Workforce Census 2025 Data Collection Template

    Job Role Guidance for NHS Trusts

    Watch the walkthrough of the template recording

National Reports

Due for release in Spring 2026.

Project Lead: Chris McAuley

Key Dates

Data collection opens:
Wednesday 15th October 2025

Data collection closes:
Friday 21st November 2025

Validation and analysis:
December 2025 / January 2026

Outputs:
Spring 2026

Any changes to dates will be updated here.