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

Appendix 5 What will progress look like?

This review aims to change people’s lifestyles for the better. Improving the range and quality of services, and the way that agencies work together contribute to that goal. Some benefits should emerge quite quickly, while others will take longer. Our ability to measure progress also varies. Some elements, for example, shifts in the balance between services should be self-evident; but others such as how well people are integrated into the community, are more difficult.

The review expects major changes. Progress should be recognised in the following way.

A Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability

• The centre promoting change locally in the way people understand learning disabilities, in the information available to people with learning disabilities and in the range of support available.

A major shift in the balance of care and support services

• All but a small number of long-stay hospital places will go, with specialist healthcare provided in other settings.
• Less formal residential and nursing home care will be provided and many more supported accommodation and adult placements will be used.
• Much less formal day care and many more day opportunities, provided, for example in education, leisure and employment.
• Considerably more people will have real jobs, and others will have a range of employment opportunities.
• More children will be educated in mainstream schools.
• Most people with learning disabilities will have access to mainstream health, social care, education and employment services.

New and better ways of working

• Local area co-ordinators will be the focal point for securing services and support.
• Jointly commissioned services will be provided for people with complex needs.
• People with learning disabilities will have access to independent advocacy when they need it.
• Direct payments will be available to people who want and can use them.
• Every person who wants one can have a life plan.

A better quality of life

• People with learning disabilities will use independent advocacy and direct payments to give them more control of their lives and the services they receive.
• People with learning disabilities will be much more part of the community; living in the community, working in the community, enjoying education, leisure and recreation in the community.
• Measures will be introduced to reduce bullying and harassment of people with learning disabilities.
• People with learning disabilities will enjoy better health and being part of routine screening programmes.

Some of the information to show change will come from existing sources. Some new information will need to be gathered, and because quality of life is such an important element, some specific work (for example, a quality of life survey) may be appropriate.

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