Local area co-ordination (LAC) was introduced to Scotland in the form of a recommendation in The same as you? report, following a national review of services to people with learning disabilities. With a strong, person centred value base, LAC is an innovative way to support individuals and families to build a 'good life' and to strengthen the capacity of communities to welcome and include disabled people.
The aim has been to co-ordinate services and provide information, family support and funding to individuals and their families.
We believe that a specialised worker dedicated to working with a small number of people and their families will help them through the current maze of systems. Local area co-ordinators will be responsible for making sure that each person who wants to, has the opportunity to develop a personal life plan.
Updated guidance on the role of local area coordinators has been produced to encourage the use of local area coordination in local authorities. A national development worker will develop the use of this model across Scotland and the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities will take this forward .