Quality standard

Quality statement 4: Tailoring psychological interventions

Quality statement 4: Tailoring psychological interventions

Quality statement

People with a learning disability and mental health problems who are receiving psychological interventions have them tailored to their preferences, level of understanding, and strengths and needs.

Rationale

Children, young people and adults with a learning disability are at higher risk of mental health problems than the general population. Standard evidence-based psychological interventions are not designed to take account of the cognitive, communication or social impairments associated with learning disabilities. People with a learning disability can have a broad range of difficulties, so the care setting and interventions need to be adapted and tailored to each person's preferences, level of understanding, and strengths and needs.

Quality measures

The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.

Structure

Evidence of local arrangements to ensure that people with a learning disability and mental health problems who are receiving psychological interventions have them tailored to their preferences, level of understanding, and strengths and needs.

Process

Proportion of people with a learning disability and mental health problems who are receiving psychological interventions that are tailored to their preferences, level of understanding, and strengths and needs.

Numerator – the number in the denominator who receive psychological interventions that are tailored to their preferences, level of understanding, and strengths and needs.

Denominator – the number of people with a learning disability and mental health problems who are receiving psychological interventions.

Data source: Local data collection.

Outcome

Quality of life of people with a learning disability and mental health problems and their family members and carers.

Data source: Local data collection.

What the quality statement means for different audiences

Service providers (secondary care providers, mental health services and specialist learning disabilities services) ensure that people with a learning disability and mental health problems who are receiving psychological interventions have them tailored to their preferences, level of understanding, and strengths and needs.

Health and social care practitioners tailor psychological interventions for people with a learning disability and mental health problems, to match their preferences, level of understanding, and strengths and needs.

Commissioners (NHS England and local authorities) commission services that ensure that psychological interventions for people with a learning disability and mental health problems are tailored to match their preferences, level of understanding, and strengths and needs.

People with a learning disability and a mental health problem have access to psychological ('talking') therapies that are designed around their needs.