Learning disability nurse

Working life

Children diagnosed with a learning disability are living longer and more fulfilling lives as they transition into adolescence, adulthood, and older age. Learning disability nurses play a crucial role in supporting these individuals throughout their lives in various health and care settings.

You'll care for individuals with learning disabilities with the person you're working with being at the centre of all decisions. Your goal is making sure they receive an equitable level of care for their individual needs. You'll work collaboratively with them, their families, and various teams across multiple settings. You'll be an educator, advocate, and leader, empowering people with learning disabilities to reach their full potential and lead healthy, independent lives.

The main areas of your role as a learning disability nurse involve:

• improving or maintaining a person’s physical and mental health
• reducing barriers to them living an independent life
• supporting the person in living a fulfilling life

You may work in a variety of settings, including people's homes, residential or nursing facilities, educational institutions, specialist units such as prisons, GP practices, or hospital settings. You will collaborate as part of a broader team that may include GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, teachers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and physiotherapists.

Entry requirements

To become a learning disability nurse the main route is through a degree course at university. Entry requirements for these courses can vary depending on where and how you’d like to study so it's important to check with universities. You can find a learning disability nursing courses at the bottom of this page.

Typically you'll need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, possibly in English language or literature and a science subject, plus two A levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, such as a T level or BTEC for an undergraduate degree. Some universities may ask for three A levels or equivalent. If you already have a degree, you might be able to study for a postgraduate qualification through a postgraduate programme. 

There are other routes into learning disability nursing such as nurse degree apprenticeships and nursing associate apprenticeships. 

Annual payments 

If you're eligible, you'll receive at least £6,000 a year towards your studies while at university. Your personal circumstances may mean you could receive more. And the good news? You'll never have to pay it back. Find out more. 

Other routes into learning disability nursing

Nursing degree apprenticeships are available with some employers and numbers are expected to continue to grow. Increasing opportunities to apply for nursing associate apprenticeships are also expected. This can lead to nursing degrees or nurse degree apprenticeships. 

Must have skills 

Don’t forget - academic qualifications aren’t everything. Communication and interpersonal skills are crucial, as well as strong judgement, be able to teach advise and manage people. 

If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or a university course, you'll be asked to show how you think the values of the NHS Constitution apply in your everyday work. 

Training and career development 

You could specialise in areas such as education, sensory disability or service management. You may want to work or move into management, teaching or clinical research.

Pay and benefits 

Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours on shift pattern which can include nights, early starts, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.  As a learning disability nurse, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting at band 5.

You’ll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.