Over the past 25 years the National Development Team has been assisting mental health and learning disability services to improve the quality of their work. During this time we have become increasingly convinced by our two-pronged approach to improving life opportunities. These are: Introducing Person-Centred Approaches to Mental Health Services for people with learning disabilities are undergoing a major transformation as the values and tools of Person-Centred Planning begin to take root. The NDT has been heavily involved in this process, training literally thousands of people, publishing a self-audit resource and writing guidance material for Partnership Boards. Now the NDT is working with a number of respected trainers and practitioners across the UK and overseas, including Michael Smull (originator of Essential Lifestyle Planning), and mental health services in Bromley and elsewhere to explore what Person Centred Planning has to contribute to the world of CPA, recovery-based approaches and the thinking and practice of social inclusion. Modernising Day Services The SEU report calls for major changes in day services for people with mental health problems. NDT consultants has been involved in the development of inclusion-focused services in Liverpool, Gateshead and elsewhere; editing the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health bestseller Working for Inclusion and a secondment to the Social Exclusion Unit. In learning disability services, we wrote the DoH Day Service Modernisation Toolkit and in mental health we have profiled 380 inclusion-focused day services for NIMHE in order to find out what works. A 17 module, pick and mix training syllabus is available to help with equipping staff, users and communities for the new world of day opportunities. If you are facing the major challenge of transforming very traditional services, or if you have already made some changes and need to check their quality, then contact us. Other service review and development work As a key provider of values-driven training and organisational development support, we have been involved with a number of services around the UK. Our Development Partnerships offer mental health communities a one to three-year relationship with the NDT to build the capacity of local change agents. Again, contact us if you want a link that is rich in inspirational, values-driven support.   The NDT lead consultant for our work on mental health issues, is Peter Bates. Peter has strong links with NIMHE and the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, and is nationally known and respected for his contributions in this area. For more information and discussion about how the NDT can help you and your organisation, please contact Peter by email at pbates@ndt.org.uk, or via our national office at 01473 836440