Archived: Learning Assessment and Neurocare Centre

Updated 25 July 2016

The Learning Assessment and Neurocare Centre (LANC) specialises in the multi professional assessment and management of children, adolescents and adults with complex neurodevelopmental difficulties particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). They also assess people with specific learning difficulties, Tourette’s syndrome, and other complex difficulties.

The service assesses people referred by their GPs and either offers treatment, for example ADHD coaching, nutrition advice or referral back to the appropriate community support setting with a suggested treatment plan.

The Horsham based service also hires clinical rooms in London and Cheshire to see people who use the service. During our visit the service manager told us that the Horsham service will close at the end of June 2016 which means that all assessments will be carried out in London and Cheshire.

The service is owned by the provider who recruits a range of self-employed professionals, to carry out assessments as required.

LANC is registered to provide:

Diagnostic and screening procedures

Treatment of disease, disorder or injury

The service receives referrals from GPs across England and from services in North East Manchester as part of a contract held with their local Clinical Commissioning Group.

We previously inspected LANC in February 2013 and January 2014. At those times, LANC met all essential standards, now known as fundamental standards.

Updated 25 July 2016

We rated the Learning Assessment and Neurocare Centre as good because:

• The premises and clinic rooms were clean and bright.
• The service hired a variety of trained and skilled professionals to work with people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autistic spectrum difficulties.
• The service followed best practice in prescribing medicine to people who used the service. People who used the service had access to a variety of psychological therapies.

• Staff at the service spoke about the people who used the service with care and respect. A satisfaction survey from July 2015 indicated that 88% of people who used the service surveyed said they received personal care and individualised treatment.
• Staff ensured that people who used the service could be assessed at a location which was convenient for them.
• The service sent all people who used the service an information pack explaining what would happen during the assessment process. The July 2015 survey indicated that 88% of people who used the service surveyed felt informed and supported to make choices about their treatment and 92% said they were supported in making decisions about their care.

• The service had access to interpreters and had used them and sign language practitioners in the past to assist in an assessment.

Updated 25 July 2016