Registration Opens
April
Data Collection
w/c 7th September
Validation
November - January
Outputs Released
March
Findings Events
March
Key Dates for 2026/27:
Now in its eleventh year, the NHS Benchmarking Network’s Learning Disabilities Specialist Services Benchmarking dataset (formerly Learning Disability (Providers)) provides a comprehensive, UK-wide overview of specialist learning disability service provision.
The dataset brings together key insights on service models, activity, workforce, finance, service quality and outcomes. It covers both community and inpatient care, for children and adults, offering a detailed and balanced view of provision across the full care pathway.
The dataset supports service improvement, strategic planning and informed decision-making by highlighting variation, emerging trends and areas of best practice across the UK.
All data and reporting is aligned with current national (individual UK nations) and UK-wide service, policy and practice priorities (outlined below). While health policy and service models vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there is strong alignment around shared priorities for delivering safe, effective, high-quality learning disability services.
Key Themes:
Health inequalities
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Racial inequality
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Physical and mental health
Patient profiles
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Clinical characteristics
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Demographic characteristics
Community Learning Disability Services
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Access
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Waiting times
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Caseload
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Contacts
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Workforce
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Finance
Inpatient Learning Disability Services
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Bed capacity
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Occupancy
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Patient Safety
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Lengths of stay
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Detentions under the Mental Health Act
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Workforce
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Finance
Community Autism Services
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Caseload
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Contacts
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Workforce
How Do You Compare?
Shifting Care into the Community
Our members have discovered that low community caseloads may indicate unmet need or reliance on inpatient care. NHSBN members use benchmarking to assess progress against the 10-Year Plan and identify opportunities to strengthen community provision.