About the network

This membership option works on an annual basis and is ideal for services that are new to QNLD and for services who would like to familiarise themselves with the QNLD standards in order to take action on areas of improvement before opting for an accreditation membership.

This membership option consists of two stages:

Stage 1: Self Review

Your service will complete a three-month self-review, involving self-assessment against QNLD specialist standards for inpatient mental health rehabilitation services for adults with a learning disability. Additionally, your service will have the option to upload evidence for specific standards, complete a brief audit of case notes and send surveys to staff, adults with a learning disability and carers to provide insight on their experiences. 

Stage 2: Peer Review

A representative from the project team, 2-3 colleagues from other inpatient mental health rehabilitation services for adults with a learning disability and a carer or patient representative visit your service to validate and expand on the self-review data.

The peer-review team will meet with staff and there will be the option to meet with patients and carers throughout the day. During these meetings there will be opportunities to share good practice and ideas for development.

Following the visit, the project team provide the service with a report summarising performance against QNLD standards, discussions on the day and areas of achievement and improvement. The service can then create an action plan to address any improvements that have been suggested.

All new QNLD members are required to complete at least one (one-year) developmental review cycle before undertaking accreditation.

This membership option works as a more comprehensive process of both the self and peer review and is a three-year cycle. This membership option is ideal for services that are familiar with the QNLD standards and who have previously been through the developmental or accreditation process. 

Accreditation membership consists of three stages: 

Stage 1: Self Review

Your service will complete a three-month self-review, involving self-assessment against QNLD specialist standards for inpatient mental health rehabilitation services for adults with a learning disability. Additionally, your service will be required to upload evidence for specific standards, complete a brief audit of case notes and send surveys to staff, adults with a learning disability and carers to provide insight on their experiences. 

Stage 2: Peer Review

A representative from the project team, 2-3 colleagues from other inpatient mental health rehabilitation services for adults with a learning disability and a carer or patient representative visit your service to validate and expand on the self-review data.

The peer-review team will meet with staff, patients and carers throughout the day. During these meetings there will be  opportunities for all to share good practice and ideas for development. 

Following the visit, the project team provide the service with a report summarising performance against QNLD standards, discussions on the day and areas of achievement and improvement.

Stage 3: Accreditation 

The report and any further evidence your service might have sent to show they are meeting the standards are presented to the accreditation committee who will decided on your service's accreditation status. There are three main categories of accreditation status:

• Accredited
• Deferred

• Not accredited 

• Membership demonstrates a commitment to providing the highest level of care to service users.
• Member services receive year-round support from the QNLD Project Team.
• The network provides an annual forum and additional learning events. These can count towards staff members continuing professional development.
• Peer reviews provide the opportunity to visit similar units and share ideas.
• The network supports an online peer discussion group.
• The process provides evidence to support CQC inspections and other regulatory processes:

"We had had difficulties with our CQC inspection in 2015 and required improvement. During the most recent CQC inspection, inspectors felt there were some substantial progress. We informed them of the recent QNLD involvement and they reported that it was clear that the input had made a big difference to the environment and leadership of the unit.  Most of the standards used by QNLD were very similar to the ones used by CQC, hence the real impact observed. We have this week received the results of the inspection and the unit was rated as outstanding."

- QNLD member service

QNLD membership costs £2,780 (+VAT). If you sign up for three years of membership at a cost of £7,920 (+VAT), you save 5% and ensure your membership cost is frozen for the duration. To join, please fill out the joining form.

The advisory group comprises professionals who represent key interests and areas of expertise in the field of inpatient learning disability services alongside service users and carers who have experience of using these services. The purpose of the group is to advise and further the work of QNLD.

The advisory group comprises a minimum of 6 members and a maximum of 15 members. The membership will aim to reflect the range of disciplines working in inpatient learning disability services.

The Accreditation Committee recommends accreditation status based on the evidence gathered during the self and peer review period. In particular it looks closely at any instances of non-compliance with Type 1 Standards.  The committee consists of members from across the disciplines who are experts in the field of learning disability services, alongside patient and carer representatives.

There is an overall Chair of the Combined Committee Meetings who ratifies the accreditation decisions recommended by the QNLD Accreditation Committee and other networks, and in so doing retains the right to question and/or overturn these recommendations.

The Accreditation Committee also functions to advise the Project Team about the quality of the reports and information that forms the basis of the AC’s recommendations.

The project team look after the day to day running of the network including liaising with services, collecting data and arranging reviews and events.

If you have any questions, please get in contact with us at L.D@rcpsych.ac.uk