National Development Team for Inclusion - NDTi

18/06/2026

The Guardian has highlighted the growing crisis in the learning disability nursing workforce. A reported one third reduction in NHS learning disability nurses since 2009 is leaving many people without the specialist support they need.

At NDTi, we know how vital learning disability nurses are. Their expertise underpins safe, person centred, rights based care which helps tackle the significant health inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities.

Our work with NHS England and partners explores the unique role, skills and impact of learning disability nurses and amplifies the voices of practitioners, people with a learning disability and families. It also challenges us all to better understand, value and strengthen the profession.

Read the Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/16/uk-learning-disability-nurses-nhs

Explore our learning disability nursing resources: https://www.ndti.org.uk/resource/the-role-of-learning-disability-nurses-resources/

Two pieces of work to explore the role of learning disability nursing in England.

09/06/2026

This , we’re shining a light on the invaluable contributions of unpaid carers, and the role we all play in recognising and supporting them.

For NHS staff, understanding carers’ experiences is essential to delivering truly person-centred care. That’s why we’re sharing this practical resource again: *Different Lives, Shared – NHS top tips for NHS staff*.

These top tips are put together by the Older People's Sounding Board, that we host for NHS England and the Youth Forum. They share tips on caring, mental wellbeing and accessing services for all NHS staff.

- Better identify and support carers
- Improve communication and partnership working
- Recognise the impact caring responsibilities can have on individuals

Carers bring vital knowledge, insight and continuity to care, but they also need understanding, respect and support in return.

Take a look and share with your networks:
https://www.ndti.org.uk/resource/different-lives-shared-nhs-top-tips-for-nhs-staff/

Read top tips on caring, mental wellbeing and accessing services from the NHS Older People's Sounding Board and Youth Forum.

04/06/2026

Today we’ve published our response to the recent Supreme Court ruling on deprivation of liberty safeguards.

We are deeply concerned about what this decision means for people who rely on care and support, and for their families. For many, these safeguards have been a vital, if imperfect, way to ensure people’s rights are recognised and upheld.

At a time when services are already under pressure, weakening these protections risks leaving people with less oversight, less support, and fewer ways to challenge decisions that affect their lives.

Our first thoughts are with the people and families who will feel this most.

We’re calling for urgent clarity, stronger safeguards, and sustained investment in independent advocacy so everyone has a voice.

Read our full statement here: https://www.ndti.org.uk/resource/a-step-backwards-on-rights-our-response-to-the-supreme-court-ruling/

04/06/2026

We’ve revisited our 2023 blog on homelessness and neurodiversity because there’s an important update.

The full research report and a peer-reviewed journal article are now available. This work explores the links between neurodiversity and homelessness, and what needs to change in policy and practice to provide better support.

Read the blog and access the new publications:
https://www.ndti.org.uk/resource/blog-research-on-homelessness-and-neurodiversity/

Report findings from research about homelessness and neurodiversity.

11/05/2026

Many organisations want to move beyond traditional, building-based day services. But in reality, it often looks like this:
• Try something new
• Hit challenges
• Slip back to what feels safe

This “cycle of fragile progress” is something we’re seeing across the sector.

With commissioning shifting towards outcomes, employment and independence, the need for sustainable change has never been greater.

Days to Communities is designed to help organisations make that shift in a practical, realistic way.

Find out more:
https://www.ndti.org.uk/learn-with-us/days-to-communities/








Alt text for slide show/film below:
Empty room, birds tweeting. Graphic says 'What's the point in a building, when nobody belongs?' Upbeat music kicks in. Graphic says 'Are you ready to change things?' Image of people painting a mural, image of an exercise class, image of a craft lesson, image of exercise lesson in swimming pool. Graphic says 'Sustainable day services, can be designed around people's lives.' Image of walking group outside. Graphic says 'Days to Communities helps you do it.' Image of older lady with pretend big lips in her mouth laughing at the camera. Graphic says ' Are you ready?' End slide: Discover change that lasts. NDTi logo

08/05/2026

Just over a week left to apply for this great programme coordinator role within our Community Led Support team.

If you're super organised and have a working knowledge of project management in public services or the voluntary sector, we'd love to hear from you.

- £33-£34K per year

- Permanent role

- Full time (35 hrs – flexible hours will be considered),

- Based from home with occasional travel.

- 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays,

https://www.ndti.org.uk/vacancies/programme-coordinator-community-led-support/

07/05/2026

Celebrate, connect, be inspired
Across the (CLS) Network, incredible work is happening every single day, from innovations, insights to challenges overcome, and real change being made.

Next week, 13-14 May, we have a series of free online webinars where you can learn more about this amazing work.

Over two lively days, we’ll:
- Explore how CLS is being strengthened across councils and whole systems.
- Dive into coproduction with communities.
- Look at developments in the self‑directed support marketplace.
- Share new research into community spaces.
- Showcase fresh tools designed to help understand and demonstrate impact.

Be inspired to learn and to hear firsthand about the successes, the tough moments, and the valuable lessons along the way.

Register here: https://www.ndti.org.uk/resource/cls-annual-online-spring-festival-2/

Anyone who is interested can attend.

28/04/2026

New ARC evidence reveals funding gap threatening small, community-based social care organisations across England.

22/04/2026

CLS Annual Online Spring Festival: Join two free, online days celebrating brilliant Community Led Support work from across the UK.

Programme highlights include:
- What Community Led Support looks like in practice
- Authentic coproduction with communities
- New research on community spaces
- Fresh tools designed to help understand and demonstrate impact
- Real examples from councils including Thurrock, Denbighshire and Warrington

13–14 May | Online | Free | Open to all
Dip in and out of sessions that matter to you.

Find out more and register: https://www.ndti.org.uk/resource/cls-annual-online-spring-festival-2/



Image: Colourful festival bunting with trees and a blue sky in the background.

20/04/2026

Save the date! This year, Advocacy Awareness Week 2026 will take place 23–27 November. As we begin planning for , we're taking time to reflect on last year, and we'd really value feedback from across the advocacy sector. We've created a short feedback form with a few simple questions; tell us what worked well last year and what would help everyone get more out of Advocacy Awareness Week this year? Share your thoughts and help shape the campaign. Join our first online planning session, Tuesday, 19 May 2026, 12:00–13:00: https://www.ndti.org.uk/resource/advocacy-awareness-week-2026-we-want-to-hear-from-you/