This study aims to explore the prevalence of baseline assessment services for people who have Down’s syndrome in the UK. It aimed to collate information on the types of assessment offered and information about additional interventions offered after the completion of the baseline assessment.
A short survey form was developed and distributed via the British Psychological Society Faculty for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Responses were received representing 73 services across all four nations of the UK. About 47 (64%) of services currently offer baseline assessments to people who have Down’s syndrome, mostly at age 30. Also, 34 (72%) of these services offer both direct cognitive assessment and informant assessment. Direct cognitive assessments were primarily conducted by members of the psychology team, and informant assessments by psychologists and other members of the Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT). Services that only offered informant assessments tended to be nurse-led and involve other members of the CLDT. In total, 23 (49%) services offered a variety of post baseline interventions. Comments reflected issues with resources; commissioning; transformation; expertise; terminology.
Baseline assessments for people who have Down’s syndrome are an important part of service provision, and there needs to be further work to ensure that people are not subject to a post-code lottery on whether they can receive this service. The recommendations from the BPS/RCPsych guidance (BPS, 2025) should be implemented in full.
This is the first survey of services across the UK to establish information about baseline assessments for people who have Down’s syndrome.
