For clinicians

Doctor: Dr Afia Ali and Boni Iparragirre
Lead person for queries: Ian Milne - locality manager
Tel: 020 8928 8300
Email: ian.milne@nelft.nhs.uk
(Please ensure patient identifiable information is password protected)

Referrals

Referrals will be accepted through GP, carer, or telephone call to the team. Self-referrals will also be accepted.

Criteria: Must have a diagnosed learning disability and an IQ below 70 with learning disability as predominant need. Aged 18 and over.

Exclusions: Those with borderline learning disabilities will be excluded, must have a definite learning disability.

Test results required at referral: It would be preferable if above criteria could be confirmed but it is not essential.

Intensive Support Team for people with a Learning Disability and Autism

Intensive Support Team information

The Intensive Support Team for people with a learning disability and autism aims to enhance the current function of the Adult Community Learning Disability Teams (CLDTs) across NELFT. Its purpose is to provide intensive support for those with more complex needs, offers (through consultancy and preventative and proactive working) rapid and intensive support to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that a user of service remains in their own home or environment and relies on joint working with the CLDTs to liaise regarding the Dynamic Support Register (DSR). 

The Team is multi-disciplinary and made of a Consultant Psychiatrist, a Speech and Language Therapist, a Behaviour Specialist, an Occupational Therapist, Senior Nursing staff, Support, Time and Recovery workers, as well as Administrative staff. The service currently runs from Monday to Sunday, from 9am to 9pm. Calls after 9pm will be directed to the Integrated Criss Assessment (ICAH) Hub. While CLDT remains the first port of call for carers and providers during normal working hours, the team will respond to all out of hours crisis calls.  

Planned activity

The team will accept referrals from the CLDTs mainly, other mental health teams and through Psychiatric Liaison Services. Once a referral is received, the team will triage and respond within 2 hours in order to agree a plan. If assessment is agreed, a staff member will conduct the assessment and provide an outcome of the assessment. IST is expected to be involved for approximately 6 weeks however, all interventions and support is based on the needs of the person being cared for. Referrals are accepted for the team as a whole and not for individual clinicians or professionals. If referrals are not found to be suitable, the team will offer recommendations and agree a clear plan with the referrer.

The team will also offer direct support to inpatient areas when a user of service has been admitted to Sunflowers Court and will support with formulating care plans the facilitation of discharge plans.

Team base and contact

IST are located at Goodmayes Hospital, in Maggie Lilley suite and after 9pm in Block 8 as part of ICAH.  They can be contacted on 0300 300 1719 or you can email ist@nelft.nhs.uk

For any further enquiries, please contact Mariatu Kanu, IST Manager on 0300 555 1200 Ex: 59259.