The Department of Health and Social Care has published guidance for care workers and personal assistants who support people with learning disabilities and autism. 

The guidance aims to help care staff to:

• Keep people with learning disabilities and autistic people safe
• Support them to understand the changes they need to make during the COVID-19 outbreak
• Protect their own wellbeing

All care and support should continue to be given in the least restrictive way possible and continue to maximise independence wherever possible, says the guidance.

Updates to statutory duties, such as easements to the Care Act, are also linked to in the guidance. However, concerns have been raised by charities like Mind and Mencap who argue that the changes to the Care Act could severely impact the rights of people with mental health problems detained for hospital treatment.

DHSC: Guidance: COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults

Social Care Institute for Excellence: COVID-19: Supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities