Children and young people may need additional support to help them learn, develop, and achieve their full potential. Some may have additional learning needs that require extra support in education, while others may have a learning disability that affects how they understand information and develop new skills. Every person is unique, and support they need will vary. 

This page provides information, guidance and resources for parents, carers, professionals to help understand additional learning needs and learning disability, access support and services, and promote the health, wellbeing and development of children and young people.

Who is this page for?

  • Public – People with a learning disability or who have additional learning needs
  • Professionals – People with learning disabilities access care from a wide range of health and social care services including general practice, community health and social care, secondary care and general hospital services.
  • Young people – across the lifespan
  • Older people – across the lifespan
  • Other – Family and carers – Vital as they provide consistent support, understand the person’s needs, and help ensure their health, wellbeing, and daily care are maintained
     

People with learning disabilities can have poorer health. They may get ill more often. They can also die younger than other people. The Public Health Agency (PHA) wants to change this. We want everyone to have a fair chance to be healthy. This is an important part of our work.

This part of the website is still being developed. 

It will help you find:

  • health information
  • support and advice
  • guidance that is easier to understand

It will also help:

  • families and carers
  • professionals

We will also show links to other organisations where you can get more help. 

 

 

Easy read resources on the PHA website

Current PHA Easy Read resources:

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Last modified
05 October 2026

For professionals