Secondment as a means of practice development for Community Learning Disability Nurses working with children

Many Community Learning Disability Nurses (CLDNs) in Scotland who work with children will have had some child health input during their registered nurse education programme, but often not specific to the needs of children who might be referred to them now as result of population changes, community care policy and improved methods of diagnosis (PHIS, 2004). Community nurses have relatively poor skills in detecting and managing mental health problems and identify training as a means of addressing this (Fox et al., 2003). To address the practice development needs identified by CLDNs through their Personal Development Plans (PDPs), secondments were provided to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for children and young people with learning disabilities for 2 days a week for six months. This was taken up by five CLDNs over a period of 3 years. The goals they set in their secondments were evaluated using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). This paper aims to discuss the use of GAS within secondments, as a means of identifying learning needs and developing practice in the area of CAMH nursing. The background to the paper, work based learning, health needs of children with LD and GAS are highlighted. Recommendations for future development are made.