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Understanding the network of a volunteer with a learning disability

Adults with learning disabilities usually have a team of people supporting them which can include the following:

In a domestic kitchen, two men are seated at a wooden table together looking into a small black cash box filled with paper currency and coins. A blue binder and various papers are also visible on the table.

Cefnogaeth Worker

Someone who is paid to support the person. They may support them with a variety of tasks such as cooking and cleaning, personal care, travelling, shopping, attending appointments and managing money.

Support workers support people who live in a shared house, on their own or with their family. This is the person who is most likely to be accompanying someone who is volunteering and needs more support.

Social Worker

Someone who is paid to ensure the individual’s needs are being met and that the individual is living the life they want to live.

Self-advocacy

Organisations like People First help adults with learning disabilities to understand their rights and to make their own decisions.

Someone who is paid to ensure the individual’s needs are being met and that the individual is living the life they want to live.

Family

An individual may receive support from their family, often unpaid. This could include cooking and cleaning, personal care, travelling, shopping, attending appointments and managing money.

A range of support

It is important to remember not all individuals will receive all types of support. Some individuals will receive more support than others with some receiving no support at all.

Some individuals will need support from one of these people whilst volunteering, whereas others will not. It depends on the person.

Some people may need support for their first few sessions and then this support can be reduced.

Good communication with support networks and the individual will ensure you get their level of support right.

A large number of adults with learning disabilities, autism or mental health conditions do not receive any support and this is ok too.

There is not necessarily something wrong if a volunteer with a learning disability does not have a support network. They can still volunteer without any support.

More best practice resources for supporting volunteers with learning disabilities

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How to support a volunteer with a learning disability with references

In a domestic kitchen, two men are seated at a wooden table together looking into a small black cash box filled with paper currency and coins. A blue binder and various papers are also visible on the table.

Understanding the network of a volunteer with a learning disability

In a bright room with a colorful mural on the wall, two men are sitting at a wooden table and talking. They are looking at each other over papers spread out on the table, and a cup of coffee is visible to the right.

How to support a volunteer with a learning disability with a DBS check