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Prevalence: Numbers of people with autism known to services in Wirral are greater than those estimated using recent research (3,950 known vs 2,330 estimated). Numbers known to primary care (Reference 1 in full document), education4 and social care have increased in recent years
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Projected Trends: Projected trends are unable to be completed at present. This relates to population changes following Census 2021 awaiting inclusion into data sources such as POPPI and PANSI.
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Support from Schools and Children’s Services (Reference 4 in full document): The number of pupils in Wirral overall has decreased in recent years, however this is not reflected in the trend for pupils with SEN/EHCP, which has increased in the same period.
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Children in Need (CiN): Learning Disabilities represent a substantial proportion of CiN who have a disability; more than one in three for Wirral.
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Support from Adult Social Care: Wirral supports less adults with a learning disability per head of population than Cheshire & Merseyside, but has a higher rate than CIPFA neighbours, North West and England for both 18-64 and 65+ years.
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The proportion of adults living on their own or with their families8 is lower in Wirral than in Cheshire & Merseyside but higher than England)
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The proportion in paid employment8 is lower than both Cheshire & Merseyside and England.
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Although the number of Safeguarding (Section 42) enquiries involving people with a learning disability has fallen recently; the Wirral rate has been higher than England since 2019/20.
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Screening/Annual Health Checks are not offered to children under 14, or to people with Autism-only at present. This remains an area of significant challenge for Cheshire and Merseyside. However, in Wirral uptake has improved in line with national trends and was just under 80% in 2022/23.
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Seasonal flu vaccination rate has improved in recent years, despite a small dip in the most reason season (2022/23). This is in line with national trends as well as those seen across Cheshire & Merseyside.
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Weight status is better recorded for people with a learning disability than for those without. In Wirral, the rate of obesity in people with LD is considerably higher for females than males.
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Cancer: The low screening uptake for cervical and bowel screening for people with learning disabilities is considerable. However, in 2022/23 screening for breast cancer was at a similar level to those without a learning disability.
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Long-term conditions: In 2022/23, Wirral continued to record a higher prevalence for epilepsy, severe mental illness, dementia, non-type 1 diabetes and hyperthyroidism in those with a learning disability that those without a learning disability.