The Care Quality Commission
  • Mental Health
  • Independent mental health service

East Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 1DN (01353) 652240

Provided and run by:
Cambridgeshire County Council

All Inspections

During an assessment of Community mental health services for people with a learning disability or autism

We assessed the East Learning Disability Partnership on 16 April 2026.

We assessed the service due to its aged rating. We found that the service had made improvements since the last inspection in January 2023 and was no longer in breach of regulations.

Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership (LDP) has been registered with the Care Quality Commission since November 2016, and provides regulated activities for treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The Cambridgeshire LDP brings together specialist health and social care services for people with a learning disability. The LDP is responsible for commissioning and providing these services on behalf of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board (Previously the CCG), and Cambridgeshire County Council. Social Care staff are employed by the County Council, and health staff are employed by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. There is a draft management agreement currently in place between both organisations which is actively being followed for the integrated service.

The LDP directly provides access to specialist nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, allied health professionals, social workers and social care staff through its integrated community teams, which cover the county from four locations:

• Huntingdon

• East Cambridgeshire

• Fenland

• South Cambridgeshire and City

At this assessment we assessed 1 assessment service group; Community Mental Health Services for People with Learning Disabilities or Autism, (to access support from the LDP all individuals must have a learning disability. People with a diagnosis of Autism would not meet the criteria for support without a dual diagnosis of a Learning Disability) where we assessed all quality statements across Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led key questions

We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

We rated the service as good. The service had made improvements but is still in breach of regulations. There were environmental risk assessments in place. The offices were accessible for people who use wheelchairs. Staff were given regular supervision and annual appraisals. The service was meeting targets from referral to assessment for much of the time. However, statutory notifications were not consistently submitted in line with regulatory requirements. This meant leaders did not always ensure full compliance with their legal responsibilities, and this required improvement.

During an assessment of the hospital overall

We assessed the East Learning Disability Partnership on 16 April 2026.

We assessed the service due to its aged rating. We found that the service had made improvements since the last inspection in January 2023 and was no longer in breach of regulations.

Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership (LDP) has been registered with the Care Quality Commission since November 2016, and provides regulated activities for treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The Cambridgeshire LDP brings together specialist health and social care services for people with a learning disability. The LDP is responsible for commissioning and providing these services on behalf of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board (Previously the CCG), and Cambridgeshire County Council. Social Care staff are employed by the County Council, and health staff are employed by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. There is a draft management agreement currently in place between both organisations which is actively being followed for the integrated service.

The LDP directly provides access to specialist nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, allied health professionals, social workers and social care staff through its integrated community teams, which cover the county from four locations:

• Huntingdon

• East Cambridgeshire

• Fenland

• South Cambridgeshire and City

At this assessment we assessed 1 assessment service group; Community Mental Health Services for People with Learning Disabilities or Autism, (to access support from the LDP all individuals must have a learning disability. People with a diagnosis of Autism would not meet the criteria for support without a dual diagnosis of a Learning Disability) where we assessed all quality statements across Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led key questions

We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

We rated the service as good. The service had made improvements but is still in breach of regulations. There were environmental risk assessments in place. The offices were accessible for people who use wheelchairs. Staff were given regular supervision and annual appraisals. The service was meeting targets from referral to assessment for much of the time. However, statutory notifications were not consistently submitted in line with regulatory requirements. This meant leaders did not always ensure full compliance with their legal responsibilities, and this required improvement.

12 and 13 July

During a routine inspection

  • The service did not have a complete and accessible environmental risk assessment in place.
  • The service was not easily accessible to people who used wheelchairs. The fire exit was situated on the first floor and exit was via a staircase. The service did not have evacuation chairs.
  • The service did not meet the target time of 18 weeks for seeing people from referral to assessment and assessment to treatment.
  • The service did not ensure staff received regular supervision and appraisal.
  • Managers did not receive sufficient up to date information to have oversight of specific performance areas.
  • The information management system was burdensome to front line staff. Staff used a mix of electronic systems, with improvements due to take place from August 2022.

However:

  • People were protected from abuse and poor care. The service had sufficient, appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.
  • People received kind and compassionate care from staff who protected and respected their privacy and dignity and understood each person’s individual needs. People had their communication needs met and information was shared in a way that could be understood.
  • People were involved in managing their own risks whenever possible. Staff developed positive behaviour support plans with people who used the service so that they were aware of any risks they posed to themselves, others or their environment.
  • Staff were aware of what strategies to use to minimise and manage risks. Staff anticipated and managed risk. They had a high degree of understanding of peoples’ needs.
  • People’s care, treatment and support plans, reflected their sensory, cognitive and functioning needs. People made choices and took part in activities which were part of their planned care and support. Staff supported them to achieve their goals.
  • People who used services and those close to them were active partners in their care. We reviewed six care records and saw staff were fully committed to working in partnership with people and making this a reality for each person.
  • Staff empowered people who use the service to have a voice and to realise their potential. They showed determination and creativity to overcome obstacles to delivering care.
  • People were empowered to feedback on their care and support. We saw examples where staff had encouraged feedback using an easy read “we welcome your feedback” form. We also saw an easy read version of “our learning disability vision, making a better future together” that had been co-produced and set out agreed next steps for enabling people to live happy, safe and healthy lives, and to have the same life opportunities as anyone else.
  • Staff understood their roles and responsibilities under the Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
  • Staff supported people through recognised models of care and treatment for people with a learning disability or autistic people. Leadership was good, and governance processes helped the service to keep people safe, protect their human rights and provide good care, support and treatment.
  • Staff worked with social care providers to ensure care was line with best practice and national guidance. For example, quality standard 101, behaviour that challenges National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence (NICE).