The Scottish Government is committed to policies which place the emphasis on delivering person-centred services and aims to develop a framework for better social and health care services for people with learning disabilities and those with autism spectrum disorders in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is working to improve services for people with a learning disability through implementing the recommendations of The same as you? review (SAY) (2000). One of the most important aspects of SAY is its focus on a person-centred approach that ensures that the person with learning disabilities is involved in decisions about their life, what they do and the services they receive. This policy is fundamental to the delivery of local authority services.
Three national groups support the implementation of this policy: The same as you? Implementation Group, the Users and Carers Group and the Partnership in Practice Network. Members of the Partnership in Practice Network promote good practice across local authorities and health boards.
Key developments have been the shift from people living in hospitals to living in the community; the introduction of local area coordinators and the setting up the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability ( SCLD). As a national centre of excellence, the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability provides information and training on good practice in making The same as you? happen.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are lifelong, complex conditions resulting in mild to severe social, language and communication, and thought and behavioural impairments. An Autism Spectrum Disorder Reference Group was set up to help take forward priorities for improvements to services in Scotland and completed its work with the publishing of Policy and Practice Guidance for commissioning services for people on the Autism Spectrum. Further work to improve services will be taken forward under The same as you?.