Learning disability statistics: support
At least half of all adults with a learning disability live in the family home.
- 58,000 people with a learning disability are supported by day care/opportunity services.
- 29,000 adults with a learning disability live with parents aged 70 or over, many of whom are too old or frail to continue in their caring role. In only 1 in 4 of these cases have local authorities planned alternative housing.
- By 2030 the number of adults aged 70+ using social care services for people with learning disabilities will more than double.
- In 2010/11, 112,205 adults with learning disabilities were using local authority-funded community services (community services here do not include community-based residential services), an increase since 2005/06 of 2% per year. These included: 52,150 adults using local-authority funded day services (reduction decrease from 2005/06 of -2% per year), 40,320 adults using local-authority funded home care (an increase from 2005/06 of 9% per year) and 35,395 adults receiving professional support (a decrease from 2005/06 of -2% per year). (Source: People with Learning Disabilities in England 2011)
- In 2010/11 42,625 adults with learning disabilities were using direct payments or self-directed support, an 81% increase from 2009/10.
- In 2010/11, local authorities were spending £260 million on direct payments for adults with learning disabilities, an annual increase of 40% per year from 2005/06 after taking into account inflation.
- In 2010/11, the largest component of local authority expenditure on residential services for people with learning disabilities was on residential care placements (£1.55 billion), followed by supported and other accommodation (£483 million) and nursing care (£75 million). Supporting People expenditure in 2010/11 was £149 million. (Source: People with Learning Disabilities in England 2011)
