Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill: consultation analysis

Conclusion

Key Findings

Overall the consultation attracted a large number of responses, both from individuals and organisations. While this included a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, the representativeness of respondents is not known and feedback related to certain conditions and/or demographic groups risks being underrepresented.

Respondents were largely positive about most of the proposals outlined across the consultation document, with general support for the implementation of all proposals in combination in order to provide the most robust and accessible set of systems. In particular, respondents stressed the importance of ensuring meaningful involvement from a wide range of people with lived experience in taking forward any changes and designing any new systems or materials. Training for public sector staff (and others), as well as the proactive provision of accessible communication were also seen as key to improving current service provision. The publication of strategies, reporting duties and the development of strong and robust accountability measures were also perceived as vital to ensure change happens on the ground.

Key to the success of the proposals and measures, however, was the need to learn lessons from the current implementation gap which was considered to limit the effectiveness of existing legislation, policies and strategies. It was felt that capacity issues (including funding, staffing and staff retention issues, training, and the general availability of services/facilities) would need to be addressed across the public sector to ensure the proposals can be implemented in a meaningful and transformative way. Some sectors (such as housing, transport and education) would also require more infrastructure-based changes (which were not covered by the proposals) in order to make services more accessible to and suitable for people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people.

However, it was also suggested that the approaches or proposals outlined for certain sectors did not go far enough and would benefit from more attention or being more robust. This included employment, education, and systems to support transitions. Further, it was suggested that the proposals focused largely on adults, and that greater consideration was needed in relation to children and young people throughout the various sectors and proposals. Barriers to diagnosis were also highlighted as a significant issue which the consultation document did not tackle. Respondents felt this was a missed opportunity and urged the Scottish Government to make provisions for this within the LDAN Bill.

Next Steps

The feedback from the consultation responses will be considered by the Scottish Government and used to support and inform the development of the Draft LDAN Bill.