Learning disability nursing
Learning disability nurses work to provide specialist healthcare and support to people with a learning disability, as well as their families and staff teams, to help them live a fulfilling life. Read the career stories from some learning disability nurses working in the South East below. To find out more about becoming a learning disability nurse visit the Health Careers website.
- Charlotte Geddis, Community Learning Disability Nurse
- Daisy Hack, Learning Disability Nurse Development Lead
- George Matuska, Clinical Lead Learning Disability and Autism, and Learning Disability and Autism Lead
- Jane Padmore, Chief Executive
- Laura-Jane Osbaldeston, Head of Quality for primary care, planned care, urgent and emergency care
- Robyn Darby, Mental Health Liaison Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism
Charlotte Geddis, Community Learning Disability Nurse
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
“Learning Disability nursing is such a rewarding carer. Yes, sometimes it can be a hard, demanding job but the positives always outweigh the negatives”
After starting to work with people with a learning disability at the age of 15, Charlotte developed a passion for supporting them to live better, more inclusive lives. Fast forward to applying for uni, where a Learning Disability nursing degree at Queen’s University Belfast was the perfect way for her to turn that passion into a career.
Why did you apply to study a Learning Disability nursing degree?
I didn’t know that a degree in Learning Disability nursing existed when I first looked to apply for university. When I was 15, I started working with people with a learning disability and it felt great to help them be involved with activities and clubs in a way that was adjusted to their needs. So, as soon as I found out that I could do a degree in something I loved and was passionate about, I applied straight away.
What do you think is the most rewarding part of career in Learning Disability nursing?
I love being able to see the difference a small reasonable adjustment can make, and how it can often change the life of someone with a learning disability. I also enjoy being able to educate people in how to make everyday life more inclusive for those with a learning disability and autistic people. It’s fantastic to see how a simple, easy change can improve that person’s whole day or experience.
What would you say to someone considering applying for a Learning Disability nursing degree?
Learning Disability nursing is such a rewarding career. Yes, sometimes it can be a hard, demanding job but the positives always outweigh the negatives. Once you can see an individual improving or someone being able to live as they want to and feel comfortable doing so, you forget any struggles you’ve had up to that point. A key piece of advice I would offer to someone starting out is to be patient with yourself and your skills, and make sure you are always asking questions!
Do you think doing Learning Disability nursing degree can lead to other career opportunities?
There are many opportunities to broaden your skillset within Learning Disability and Mental Health nursing. I began my career as a Learning Disability nurse working in the highest intensity of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHs) wards, which allowed me to enhance my skills in mental health. This extra experience enabled me to move into my current role that focuses on both Mental Health and Learning Disability and Autism, and I’m very glad to be here!
Daisy Hack, Learning Disability Nurse Development Lead
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
“Supporting people with a learning disability to improve their quality of life and ultimately help them live longer is such a wonderful and unique experience”
Daisy entered a Learning Disability Nurse degree at the University of Greenwich in 2014 via UCAS clearing. Since then, she has helped many people with a learning disability to live longer, healthier lives thanks to this varied and rewarding career.
Why did you apply to study a Learning Disability nursing degree?
My interest in supporting people with a learning disability began at age 14, after I did some voluntary work for a charity that provided respite care and holidays to children and adults. It was very rewarding to support these people and a privilege to help put a smile on their faces each day. My Mum is also a nurse, and she encouraged me to explore the different career pathways within learning disability care. I ended up securing a place on the Learning Disability nursing degree at the University of Greenwich via UCAS clearing, and I’ve never looked back!
What do you think is the most rewarding part of career in Learning Disability nursing?
Supporting people with a learning disability to improve their quality of life and ultimately help them live longer is such a wonderful and unique experience. It’s an amazing feeling knowing you’ve had a positive influence on someone’s life, particularly those who cannot always advocate for themselves. Also, no two days are the same. One day, you could be supporting someone in the community who is living independently and needs to have a blood test but is needle phobic. And the next, you might help someone who is non-verbal and completely dependent on others, to access cancer treatment in hospital. So varied, and so very rewarding!
What would you say to someone considering applying for a Learning Disability nursing degree?
If you want to protect, advocate for, and improve the lives of people with a learning disability, as well as have an impact on the future of healthcare and the way services are delivered, then this is the career path for you. My top tip is to seek out as many learning opportunities as possible. This is such a diverse profession, and it’s important to get experience in different services and settings to help shape your own identity as a Learning Disability nurse.
I genuinely feel that choosing a Learning Disability nursing degree was the best decision I ever made!
Do you think doing Learning Disability nursing degree can lead to other career opportunities?
Being a Learning Disability nurse allows you to develop a range of specialist and transferrable skills and opens up a wide variety of roles across the profession. Since qualifying, I have worked in residential, community, liaison services, and practice education, and now my focus is learning disability nurse workforce development. The career opportunities are endless!
George Matuska, Clinical Lead Learning Disability and Autism, NHS Kent and Medway
Learning Disability and Autism Lead, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust
“The best learning disability nurses are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. If you share this passion and have the dedication to learn and grow, then this could be a rewarding and fulfilling career path for you”
After a chance encounter with a group of people with a learning disability at college, George was inspired to explore the ways he could support them. This led him to study Learning Disability nursing at De Montford University and since then both his passion and career have gone from strength to strength.
Why did you apply to study a Learning Disability nursing degree?
It all started while tending a bar at the night school of a local community college, where I just so happened to meet some incredibly inspiring people. While I wasn’t familiar with learning disabilities at the time, I saw a strong desire in this group to achieve more. I began exploring ways I could getting involved in supporting those with a learning disability, and this led me to study Learning Disability nursing at De Montfort University. I didn’t choose this career; it was the path I discovered through those inspiring encounters.
What do you think is the most rewarding part of career in Learning Disability nursing?
Learning Disability nursing is all about making a real difference. We directly contribute to helping people with a learning disability achieve independence and live healthier, more fulfilling lives. We also get the privilege of developing some very rewarding relationships with the people we care for, their families, and wider healthcare teams which fosters a real sense of community and purpose.
What would you say to someone considering applying for a Learning Disability nursing degree?
The best learning disability nurses are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. If you share this passion and have the dedication to learn and grow, then this could be a rewarding and fulfilling career path for you. You might also like to consider volunteering with organisations that support individuals with learning disabilities to gain firsthand experience.
Do you think doing Learning Disability nursing degree can lead to other career opportunities?
While my role has shifted to leadership, my passion for supporting people with a learning disability hasn’t. Now, I focus on influencing broader systems to develop a workforce capable of providing the same level of care. This means being a critical friend to these systems, offering constructive challenges even when the easier path is silence. It also requires constant curiosity – I acknowledge I can’t know everything, but I strive to be well-rounded in knowledge and cultivate strong collaborative networks.
Jane Padmore, Chief Executive
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
“I believe that being a nurse and working with those who have mental health problems, or a learning disability is an extraordinary privilege”
Choosing to study Mental Health nursing at Kings College London took Jane Padmore from Health Care Assistant to Chief Executive in an extraordinary nursing career.
Why did you apply to study a Learning Disability nursing degree?
I started off by doing some volunteer work with people with a learning disability when I was 16, and subsequently became a Learning Disability Health Care Assistant when I failed my A-Levels. This opened my eyes to a whole profession I had stereotyped ideas about, and instead I fell in love with it. Soon after, I decided to study Mental Health nursing at King College London and by this time I had truly found my purpose.
What do you think is the most rewarding part of career in Learning Disability nursing?
I believe that being a nurse and working with those who have mental health problems, or a learning disability is an extraordinary privilege. I still remember the names and faces of patients who have shared intimate stories with me; a stranger, who has met them when they’re at their most vulnerable. We’re there when their liberty is taken away, we’re there when they are scared, we’re there when they are sad. What we do and how we do it matters. Patients have taught me so much and have been part of forming who I am, both as a nurse and as a person.
What would you say to someone considering applying for a Learning Disability nursing degree?
Go for it, you never know where it might take you! I have learnt so much and been given so many different opportunities thanks to this varied profession. As a nurse you can work clinically, academically, in education and research, in leadership, or a combination of all these things. You can even change pathway- it’s never too late. I truly believe that if it interests you, there will be a home in nursing for you.
Do you think doing Learning Disability nursing degree can lead to other career opportunities?
It certainly can. For example, I have worked across adult mental health, CAMHS, adolescent forensic, learning disability and multi-agency teams, in clinical, leadership and academic roles. There are many roles in Mental Health nursing that you can progress to. During my career I have also delivered training and presentations, lead international research, had papers published, written for student nurse text books and even gained a doctorate. All of this has led to me being a Chief Nursing Officer in two organisations, and now I am the Chief Executive at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Laura-Jane Osbaldeston, Head of Quality for primary care, planned care, urgent and emergency care
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight
“It’s so important to ensure that everyone who needs to access NHS healthcare has the same opportunities to have a positive experience, and Learning Disability nursing allows you to be a part of making that happen”
Laura completed a Learning Disability nursing degree at the University of Southampton in 2010, and thanks to hard work and the opportunities available in this career, is now Head of Quality at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
Why did you apply to study a Learning Disability nursing degree?
I had previously worked in a day centre for people with a learning disability which I really loved, and it was during this time that I developed a passion to advocate for equality and wellbeing in healthcare for people living with complex needs and disabilities. This, coupled with my previous experience of working in a nursing home led to me to apply for a Learning Disability Nursing degree at the University of Southampton in 2010.
What do you think is the most rewarding part of career in Learning Disability nursing?
For me, it has always been very rewarding knowing that the work I do contributes to reducing health inequalities and supporting people with a learning disability to get the care they need in the best way. It’s so important to ensure that everyone who needs to access NHS healthcare has the same opportunities to have a positive experience, and Learning Disability nursing allows you to be a part of making that happen.
What would you say to someone considering applying for a Learning Disability nursing degree?
One thing that’s really exciting about Learning Disability nursing as a career is that it offers a diverse array of interesting roles. These can range from community to inpatient, planned care to acute, early years to palliative care, and across a wide age range. Take some time to discover where your passion lies, and there will be a rewarding career path waiting for you.
Do you think doing Learning Disability nursing degree can lead to other career opportunities?
Absolutely! After my degree I secured a role as a staff nurse for the charity National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, then later did a placement with NHS Continuing Healthcare which led to achieving a full-time promotion as Clinical Lead. I have since completed a Masters in Healthcare Leadership, and was awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse in 2023. Now, I am the Head of Quality in an Integrated Care Board for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, so as you can see, a nursing degree really can take you anywhere!
Robyn Darby, Mental Health Liaison Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
“If it wasn’t for clearing, I would never have considered Learning Disability nursing, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I have ever made”
After not getting the A-level grades needed to go to her original choice of university, Robyn turned to UCAS clearing. Here, she came across a Learning Disability nursing degree at the University of Hertfordshire, and hasn’t looked back since.
Why did you apply to study a Learning Disability nursing degree?
I wasn’t aware of Learning Disability nursing when I applied to uni. Originally, I was going to study something else but didn’t end up getting the grades needed. I was still keen to study so I started looking at UCAS clearing, and this is where I came across the Learning Disability nursing degree. As soon as I read about the course, I knew this is what I wanted to do and I’m so glad things worked out this way!
How did you find the UCAS clearing process?
The process of clearing was relatively straightforward. It can be anxiety provoking as there is a lot of uncertainty around whether you will get into university that year, and there are more processes to go through i.e. interviewing. However, there are so many options available to you! Even though I didn’t get the best A-Level grades, it didn’t mean that I wouldn’t be good at nursing. If anything, it made me more determined to succeed! If it wasn’t for clearing, I would never have considered Learning Disability nursing, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I have ever made.
What do you think is the most rewarding part of career in Learning Disability nursing?
I find this difficult to answer because there are so many things I love about my job! Firstly, the people I work with are amazing, and it’s a privilege to work with those who are neurodivergent to support meaningful change. I also love that I am constantly learning something new, and there are so many opportunities to develop and learn more via training courses and masters’ modules. It’s also great having specialist knowledge and being able to share this with others and upskill them through joint working and delivering training.
What would you say to someone considering applying for a Learning Disability nursing degree?
My advice would be reach out and speak to someone who works in the learning disability field so you can find out more and ask any questions you may have. Also, this career is hugely varied and there are so many different paths you could choose to take. I have been very lucky to specialise in autism and neurodivergence which I am incredibly passionate about, so keep in mind that doing a degree in Learning Disability nursing will open up many exciting opportunities for you.