Learning disability charities explore ‘pooling areas of expertise’

Leading Jewish learning disability charities are exploring ways to ‘co-operate’ after a report raised concerns about demand for services outstripping supply.

Kisharon, Langdon, and Norwood charities are looking to find ways to “collaborate in the future, pooling their shared and mutually supportive areas of expertise.”

It comes after a report, 2020 Cordis Bright report on the Learning Disability Community, found that the needs of the community will outstrip available resources for the foreseeable future.

Kisharon and Langdon will now undertake their own research to compare services and “establish whether an enhanced level of services can be delivered”.

“The ultimate test is how we can demonstrate that by working together we can deliver better outcomes for young people and adults with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders,” said Neil Taylor, the CEO of Langdon.

Meanwhile Kisharon’s CEO, Richard Franklin, added: “The approach adopted, in our view,  provides a latitude and scope to ensure the needs of valued members of our community with learning disabilities can be met both now and into the future.  

“Being two organisations of similar size and remit – and given the success of our joint working arrangements to date in Further Education, Kisharon and Langdon will now look with increased granularity to explore how our learning disability services can be greater than the sum of our parts.”

Dr Beverley Jacobson, the Chief Executive of Norwood, said the charity was committed to sharing its expertise with like-minded organisations.

“In these challenging times for everyone, that spirit of cooperation has never been more important for us and our community and we will continue to ensure vital services are available when and where they are most needed to support vulnerable people at every stage of their life’s journey,” she said.