Learning Disabilities Annual Census Report, England

This report presents initial findings from the Learning Disability Census. Data were collected via the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) on behalf of the Department of Health, the Care Quality Commission, Public Health England and NHS England.

The Learning Disability Census provides an individual record-level snapshot of inpatients with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and/or behaviour that challenges, and the services they receive, for patients who were inpatients in NHS and independent services at midnight on 30 September each year.

This initial release reports at England level on key findings of the Census.

The principal aim of the Census is to deliver action 17 in ‘Transforming Care: A national response to Winterbourne View Hospital - “an audit of current services for people with challenging behaviour to take a snapshot of provision, numbers of out of area placements and lengths of stay”.