Grant to support study investigating provisions for CYP with an LD

The RCN Foundation has announced funding of up to £30,000 to support a nurse-led project which will analyse the challenging barriers children and young people living with both a learning disability and mental health challenges experience when accessing appropriate support and care. The study will also identify the most effective, evidence-based nurse-led referral pathways to help address these challenges. 

Background   

The RCN Foundation’s Inclusive Health - Enhancing the lives of individuals with learning disabilities grant-making programme provides grants to support nurse-led research and professional development to address health inequalities and improve health related quality of life outcomes for individuals with lived experience of a learning disability.  

Following a scoping review undertaken by the University of West London in 2019, we carried out further scoping work to identify specific challenges facing the learning disability nursing field across the UK.  

In context  

Children and young people who experience a learning disability are four times more likely to experience poor mental health than those without (Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, 2021). This equates to 14% of children and young people with poor mental health, also experiencing a learning disability. However, just 28% of children and young people with a learning disability and poor mental health have any contact with mental health services and if they are referred, 25% wait over six months to access the service (Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, 2021).  

We want to understand more about which referral models between the two specialities work effectively to support children and young people with a learning disability and poor mental health across the UK, in comparison to those which do not, explaining why they are ineffective.  

Applying for funding  

The RCN Foundation is seeking applications from organisations, with up to £30,000 available in funding. The study should aim to start in Spring 2026 for 12 months. 

The voice of children and young people with a learning disability must be central to the work. Please ensure you submit an Easy Read version of your proposal; we will have people with lived experience on the shortlisting panel and want the process to be inclusive. 

For more information and to apply for this funding call, please download the call document. 

Completed proposals should be submitted by email to grants@rcnfoundation.org.uk.

Applications close at 5pm on Monday 2 March.  

Should you have any questions about this funding call, please contact Dr Sarah McGloin, Head of Grants and Impact. Alternatively, you can email the team at grants@rcnfoundation.org.uk.