Working with people with learning disabilities in varying degrees of security: nurses' perceptions of competencies.

Aim: To identify and discuss the competencies required by learning disability nurses to work effectively with people with an offending background in low, medium, high secure and community settings.

Background: Research into the competencies required by nurses working with individuals with an offending background, particularly those with a learning disability, is limited. There is some uncertainty as to whether there should be differentiation according to specific setting.