Why “One Size Fits All” Fails in Adult Social Care for People with Learning Disabilities 

Insights from Kay Barrett, Taskforce Executive at Delphi Care Solutions

Delivering high-quality, person-centred care for individuals with learning disabilities remains one of the most significant and persistent challenges in adult social care. According to Kay Barrett, Taskforce Executive at Delphi Care Solutions, care providers across the UK are navigating a complex landscape, balancing budgets, regulatory pressures, and individual needs, while striving to ensure that people receive the dignity, support, and autonomy they deserve. 

Drawing from Kay’s extensive experience across services, families, and policy environments, this article explores the biggest obstacles in learning disability support, and how the sector can evolve to deliver care that is both sustainable and truly person focused. 

The Problem with a “One Size Fits All” Approach 

As Kay highlights, the transition from children’s services to adult social care marks a dramatic shift. In childhood, support is shaped by integrated input from education, health, and social services. In adulthood, however, care often becomes a negotiation between available funding and system limitations. 

“Too often,” Kay explains, “packages of care are determined by what exists, not by what’s appropriate. Individuals are expected to fit into a service, rather than services being shaped around the individual.” 

This results in a rigid, “one size fits all” model that undermines the principles of person-centred care. People with learning disabilities, especially those with limited comprehension or communication, become dependent on others to make choices on their behalf, often with limited scope for flexibility or individuality. 

Kay notes that families regularly express frustration at the lack of adaptability and clarity. They want bespoke care solutions, built around the individual, not the budget. And when costs must be justified, they should reflect value for money based on quality and outcomes, not simply expense. 

Empowering People Through Advocacy and Transparency 

According to Kay, transparency around care costs and outcomes is essential to restoring trust in the system. Individuals with learning disabilities – and those who advocate for them – should have access to clear, jargon-free information that enables informed decision-making. 

Strong advocacy ensures that the person’s voice is genuinely heard and that care planning reflects their needs and aspirations. This is especially vital when navigating funding structures or preparing for external assessments such as CQC reports, where the quality of care must be clearly evidenced. 

Enhancing Communication Across Care Pathways

One of Kay’s key concerns is the breakdown of communication when individuals transition through different stages of life or services. “Robust communication systems and aids are often established in early life, but then lost or abandoned in adult services,” she says. “This creates real disruption for individuals who depend on consistency.” 

Kay emphasises that communication strategies should evolve with the person, not be replaced unnecessarily. In some cases, familiar tools are more effective than new technologies. Especially in supported living for learning disabilities, the priority should be preserving continuity and adapting systems in an age-appropriate way. 

Care providers must also ensure that multidisciplinary teams, from support workers to social care professionals, are using the same communication systems and approaches. Fragmented systems result in missed details, inconsistent delivery, and ultimately, poorer outcomes. 

The Role of a Single Point of Contact 

One clear solution Kay recommends is introducing a single point of contact for each person. This individual acts as a hub for all communication, coordination, and oversight, ensuring the person’s preferences, history, and support needs are consistently considered, regardless of how many services are involved. 

This approach supports person-centred care by fostering relationships built on trust, understanding, and continuity, rather than shifting responsibilities between ever-changing professionals and departments. 

Moving Forward: A Sector Built on Flexibility, Not Uniformity 

In her work across the care sector, Kay Barrett continues to advocate for personalised, transparent, and adaptable care systems. She believes that the future of adult social care lies in rejecting uniformity and embracing tailored support that values each person as an individual. 

Whether it’s through improved advocacy, enhanced communication, stronger governance, or collaborative multidisciplinary teams, the goal remains the same: delivering care that is not only compliant but compassionate. 

“Everyone’s care should be different,” says Kay. “There may be similarities, but different.” 

At Delphi Care Solutions, we work alongside care providers to help them deliver high-quality, compliant, and meaningful support for people with learning difficulties. We support organisations in reviewing care strategies, preparing for inspections, and designing systems that work, for everyone involved. 

Because in social care, one size does not fit all. And it never should. 

Need help enhancing your care model or preparing for your next CQC inspection?

Contact us to speak with a one of our multidisciplinary team today and learn how we can support your goals.