Welcome to the website of the Office of the National Director for Learning Disabilities (for England).
 
Simon Whitehead is the acting Interim National Director: Learning Disabilities. He will occupy this post until a permanent replacement has been appointed. 
 
Simon was the Eastern Advisor for the Valuing People Support Team, and the teams lead on employment issues.  His job was to support the 10 Learning Disability Partnership Boards in the East of England make Valuing People happen.  Before he worked for Valuing People Simon was a freelance consultant and worked for over 10 years for the the National Development Team for People with Learning Disabilities (NDT).  He was a member of the Department of Health's Learning Disability Advisory group that developed the original Valuing People White Paper. 
 
Whilst acting as the Interim National Director, Simon will be involved in the re-drafting of Valuing People Now, including responding to the Michael's report on Health inequalities; and ensuring an effective three year plan is in place for delivering Valuing People Now.




 

 

The Office of the National Director: Learning Disabilities provides national leadership and expertise within learning disability policy.   It provides policy guidance across health, social care and education issues.

 

The Office was set up at the beginning of April 2006 when Rob Greig moved from his role of managing the Valuing People Support Team to concentrate on national policy development for people with learning disabilities.

 

Nicola Smith joined Rob in May 2006 as Co-National Director.  She and Rob and job shared. Nicola was the first person with a Learning Disability to be appointed to a senior government role.

 

The Office of the National Director employs a small team of people who support the two National Directors and who undertake specific work activities.  Click here to find out more about the work of the Team