Years after it was implemented in generic mental health services, the Care Programme Approach (CPA) is finally being incorporated into the everyday mental health care provided for people with learning disabilities. Stephen Higgins and colleagues consider how the CPA can benefit people with learning disabilities and provide an outline of the care coordinator’s role

The Care Programme Approach (CPA) (DH 1990) was introduced when there was increasing public concern over a series of high-profile homicides and suicides involving people with mental health problems (Ritchie 1994).