Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities

📝 SCLD’s latest report, led by our Human Rights Intern, Struan Hay BA(Hons) MSc, examines the legal context and cultural and practice issues impacting the development of supported decision making in Scotland. The report highlights that 🔎 People with learning disabilities report feeling more independent and empowered when they have greater choice and control and support to make decisions. ❌ Many people with learning disabilities have decisions made for them based on their perceived ‘best interests’ and the development of their decision-making skills may be overlooked. The report concludes that implementing supported decision making effectively may require changes not only to law and practice but also to how we view and value people with learning disabilities as a society. The Scottish Government has begun a programme of mental health and capacity law reform and is considering whether a national framework or approach for supported decision making is needed. The report says it is important that the development of any national strategy recognises that supported decision making is critical not only for the exercise of ‘legal capacity’ but also for enabling people with learning disabilities to realise the right to independent living in the community. It states that delivering these changes for Scotland will require strong leadership as well as significant and sustained resourcing at a national and local level. 📖 Read the full report: https://zurl.co/piqQA #HumanRights #LearningDisabilities #SupportedDecisionMaking

🚨 Think COULD – Supporting People with Learning Disabilities in Justice Services 🚨 Think COULD was designed to support people with a learning disability if they find themselves in contact with the justice system. It was developed by Learning Disability Queen’s Nurses in collaboration with Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland and funded by THE BURDETT TRUST FOR NURSING Watch the animation to see how justice services can better support individuals with learning disabilities. 📽️ Watch the animation to see how justice services can better support individuals with learning disabilities. YouTube (Think COULD) https://zurl.co/iVK6q 📌 Learn more: QNIS website https://zurl.co/SDQzH #ThinkCOULD #LearningDisability

🌳 Are Glasgow’s parks and greenspaces accessible and inclusive for everyone? A research project from the University of Leeds is exploring this important question. The study aims to explore how accessible green spaces in Glasgow are for different groups of people, including people with learning disabilities, their carers, family and friends when using greenspaces in Glasgow. Your insights will help contribute to meaningful improvements in the design and accessibility of greenspaces for all. 📝 Take the survey here:🔗https://zurl.co/Gilnz #AccessibleGreenspaces

🚀 Exciting day at the Beyond Care Plan Conference in Inverness! SCLD’s Head of Delivery Linda Mitchell and Include For Good Rapporteur John Gallon were delighted to be part of the conversation on creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities. 💡 Lots of great ideas, inspiring discussions, and valuable learning to take forward. A huge thanks to UHI Inverness NHS Highland and Elsie Normington Foundation #BeyondTheCarePlan #EmploymentForAll

Today SCLD’s Development Worker, Cameron Smith was invited to speak at The Scottish Parliament as part of National Supported Internship Day. Cameron spoke about the employment gap for people with learning disabilities in Scotland, supporting people in the workplace and the importance of Access To Work. #NationalSupportedInternshipDay #AccessToWork

Over the last year SCLD has been working with the Fraser of Allander Institute looking at the financial situation of people with learning disabilities in Scotland. Many people we spoke to were struggling financially. They found the benefits system and the social care system complex and confusing. People we spoke to were worried about changes to benefits, and lots of these are likely to happen in the next few years. Lots of people getting Self-Directed Support were not happy with their care. But these people didn’t have help to access different Self-Directed Support options which would give them more control. Many did not access independent advocacy, a service which can help people get the care and benefits they need. People with learning disabilities have a right to independent advocacy. To read the summary of findings and full report or easy read, click here: https://zurl.co/pzmqq

Today we are sharing our findings on learning disabilities and financial security. We spoke to 24 people in Scotland with a learning disability to understand their experiences. The video below highlights some of their stories. Tina and Xander’s stories are composite stories. This means they made up of more than one person’s experiences. This protects the identity of the people we spoke to. Many people we spoke to were struggling financially. They found the benefits system and the social care system complex and confusing. People we spoke to were worried about changes to benefits, and lots of these are likely to happen in the next few years. Lots of people getting Self-Directed Support were not happy with their care. But these people didn’t have support to access different Self-Directed Support options which would give them more control. Many did not access independent advocacy, a service which can help people get the care and benefits they need. People with learning disabilities have a right to independent advocacy. To read the summary of findings and full report, click here. An easy read version of the report will be out on Thursday. https://lnkd.in/eqH53jWD We are also having a free webinar to share the findings. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eAa2id4X

🧦💙 Happy World Down’s Syndrome Day! 💙🧦 Team SCLD is rocking our odd socks today to celebrate people with Down’s syndrome! 🎉 But today is also a reminder of why support systems matter. With the right support, people with Down’s syndrome can: ✅ Make their own decisions 🏦 ✅ Access justice ⚖️ ✅ Live independently 🏡 ✅ Get an education 🎓 ✅ Receive quality healthcare 🏥 ✅ Work and be included at work 💼 ✅ Take part in politics 🗳️ ✅ Enjoy culture, leisure & sports 🎭⚽ Have you got your odd socks on today? Show us in the comments! 👇 Down's Syndrome Scotland #WorldDownSyndromeDay #LotsOfSocks #ImproveOurSupportSystems

CSE Aware are hosting a FREE lunchtime session introducing the key things to know about the impact of commercial sexual exploitation on women with learning disabilities This event is open to organisational leaders, politicians, civil servants, frontline staff, and support services. It will be of particular interest to those working on violence against women; addictions; mental health; sexual health and relationships; housing; advice and support; criminal justice; public health; social work; and national and local governments. When: Wednesday, April 2 · 12 - 12:45pm Where: online via Zoom If you would like to attend, you can register at this link:https://zurl.co/Rx48H CSE Aware also share the findings from their research on the experiences of women with learning disabilities involved in selling or exchanging sex in Scotland in their latest bulletin Read bulletin here: https://zurl.co/jp1j3

Ahead of their Annual Conference on 30 April, The ALLIANCE are hosting a pre-conference webinar titled “Social Murder? Austerity and Life Expectancy in the UK.” This session will examine the profound impact of austerity on public health and life expectancy, shedding light on critical inequalities and the policy choices that shape health outcomes. They strongly encourage all delegates to take part in this session, as it will set the stage for important conversations during the conference. The webinar is free to attend, but registration is required. To book your space, visit here https://zurl.co/dygh7