A REPORT into supporting people with learning disabilities produced by Gloucestershire County Council has been praised by the Local Government Association.

The county council worked with the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group on the 'Challenging Behaviour Strategy', which will now be used as an example of good practice which others can learn from.

The report is part of the Winterbourne View Joint Improvement Programme, set up following abuse which took place at the care home in South Gloucestershire.

It is aimed at improving services for people with a learning disability, autism and those who behave in a challenging way.

The strategy includes the introduction of better training for professionals, paid carers and families, working closely with leading charities to provide support during difficult periods and a team which will support people in the community when extra help is required.

Cabinet member for long term care, Cllr Kathy Williams, said: "We are very proud of the work we are doing in leading the way to support children, young people and adults who have a learning disability or behaviour which can be challenging.

"Our main aim is to improve the quality of life for people in Gloucestershire and we will trial a range of different approaches in order to achieve this. We are learning a lot along the way and are delighted that our efforts have been recognised."

Peter Bungard, county council chief executive officer said: "By working with our colleagues at the NHS we have developed a county-wide strategy that has political and leadership support at all levels.

"We have made investments to improve the quality and monitoring of services and the part I am most proud of is the way we have worked on every facet of this plan with the voices of service users being our first port of call."

To read the report in full, visit local.gov.uk/place-i-call-home.