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

City and South Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Comberton Road, Toft, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB23 2RY (01223) 743747

Provided and run by:
Cambridgeshire County Council

Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile

All Inspections

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

We assessed the City and South Learning Disability Partnership on 15 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.

People are offered annual and regular health checks. There were environmental risk assessments in place and staff used two way radios in interview rooms. Staff were given regular supervision and 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 City and South Learning Disability Partnership on 15 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.

People are offered annual and regular health checks. There were environmental risk assessments in place and staff used two -way radios in interview rooms. Staff were given regular supervision and 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

  • There was no risk assessment of the providers premises, and no fixed alarm points in any of the interview rooms.
  • Staff did not routinely hold staff alarms to keep them safe.
  • At the time of inspection, the service had high vacancy rates.
  • Staff did not complete risk assessments for three people.
  • Staff did not receive regular supervision and appraisals.
  • Managers did not receive sufficient up to date information to have oversight of specific performance areas.
  • We observed a planned session with one person that was not carried out by staff in a respectful and supportive way.
  • The service did not meet the target time of 18 weeks for seeing people from referral to assessment and assessment to treatment. The South team referral to assessment waiting time was 45 weeks. In the City team referral to assessment waiting time was 21 weeks
  • 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.
  • People received kind and compassionate care from most 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.
  • People made choices and took part in activities which were part of their planned care and support. Staff supported them to achieve their goals.
  • We observed a multidisciplinary meeting where staff demonstrated strong links with adult social care services and others to meet people’s social care, housing, employment and education needs.
  • People and those close to them were active partners in their care. 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).