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The same as you? A review of services for people with learning disabilities

Ministerial foreword

It is over 20 years since the last policy initiative on learning disability services in Scotland. Although there has been progress in many areas since then, it has not been consistent. Overall, the pattern of services in Scotland is not as advanced as in many countries in Europe. So, I very much welcome this wide-ranging review, and the way it has been carried out. In it we meet the commitment in our Programme for Government ‘Making It Work Together’ to publish in 2000 our proposals for services for people with learning disabilities.

The Learning Disability Review has succeeded in involving many of those with an interest, especially those who use services and their carers, at different points in the journey. I know from meeting people how much that has been welcomed and valued. I was involved in the review-visiting projects, at one of the seminars and answering questions in a live internet session. I was very impressed by the desire for change, the reasonableness and responsibility of those pressing for it and the willingness of agencies to respond.

This review began by looking at services, especially in social and healthcare, and their relationship with education, housing, employment and other areas. However, its focus changed to include people’s lifestyles. That is what matters. Services are there to support people in their daily lives.

We are committed to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. The review reflects our wider policies including social inclusion, equality and fairness, and the opportunity for people to improve themselves through continuous learning. These are just as important and just as relevant to people with learning disabilities as they are to all of us.

The focus of the report is consistent with our existing policies on community care. ‘Modernising Community Care’ wants better results for people through quicker and better decision-making, greater emphasis on care at home and agencies working more closely together. Our desire to improve the general health of people with learning disabilities is also directly related to our aims in ‘Towards a Healthier Scotland’. The responsibility of the Joint Future Group, which I chair, is to build on both these documents and identify and promote good practice in working with others.

People with learning disabilities should be able to lead normal lives. We want them to:

• be included, better understood and supported by the communities in which they live;
• have information about their needs and the services available, so that they can take part, more fully, in decisions about them;
• be at the centre of decision-making and have more control over their care;
• have the same opportunities as others to get a job, develop as individuals, spend time with family and friends, enjoy life and get the extra support they need to do this; and
• be able to use local services wherever possible and special services if they need them.

People with learning disabilities want to make a positive contribution to society. Communities and individuals must learn to recognise their needs and respond more positively to them. A programme to improve public awareness is part of helping them to have a better quality of life.

I particularly welcome the opportunities for people to have more say and more control over their lives. Professionals need to acknowledge their limits and the rights of others. Using direct payments, brokerage and advocacy services more will help people have more influence.

Lastly, the review recommends that for all but a few people, health and social care should be provided in their own homes or in community settings alongside the rest of the population. I know that many people will welcome this idea. However, we must put in place the appropriate services and support to allow people to live properly in the community, to allow the rest of the long-stay institutions to close.

In welcoming the vision for the future, we have to be realistic and recognise the many pressures there are for resources both nationally and locally. We want and need to make the lives of people with learning disabilities better. Over time that will need more resources but now we can make better use of the considerable funds that are available in all sectors. The review gives agencies very clear signals about the level of change needed. People with learning disabilities and their carers must see early evidence of that beginning to take shape.

Iain Gray MSP

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Deputy Minister for Community Care

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