Supporting Offenders with Learning Disabilities

SOLD

SOLD is a national network committed to improving support for people who have difficulty with communication and understanding, and are at risk of, accused, or convicted of committing a crime. This includes people with learning disabilities, autism, foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, acquired brain injury, or other cognitive or neurological impairment. Delivered in partnership between ARC Scotland, People First Scotland and the National Autistic Society, the work of SOLD is funded by the Scottish Government Community Justice Division.

Support and guidance for our work comes from a User group of people with cognitive and neurological impairments who have experience of the criminal justice system, and an Advisory group of professionals and a representative from the User group.

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What people say

“Very useful to have cross sector input”

Delegate at SOLD network conference

“SOLD is a good example of cross policy working to deliver The Keys to Life recommendations”

Delegate at Keys to Life stakeholder event

Practice guide for Support workers

Our latest publication is for support workers who find the person with learning disabilities they support in the criminal justice system. It shows how to make a well-informed, constructive contribution, which is valued, not just by the person they support, but also by partner professionals in the criminal justice system.

Download the Guide
SOLD Practice Guide for Support Workers

News

Harmful sexual behaviour and young people with additional support needs

We have two interconnected events planned for early 2019 on the subject of harmful sexual behaviour and young people with additional support needs, and exploring inclusive strategies for prevention and early intervention. These are organised in partnership between SOLD, the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice, and the Scottish Transitions Forum.

Staying Safe: Exploring the needs of young people with additional support needs who experience or present with Harmful Sexual Behaviour and their families.

Monday 4th February 2019, Norton Park Conference Centre, Edinburgh.

 

Prevention, Intervention & Inclusion: Harmful Sexual Behaviour and young people with additional support needs.

Wednesday 3rd April 2019, Insight Institute, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

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Guidance for Using SOLD Easy Read Guides

The SOLD user group have produced a series of easy read guides aimed at people with learning disabilities. The guides cover different aspects of the criminal justice system in Scotland and draw on the members’ own experiences. However, it should be remembered that not every person with a learning disability is able to use Easy Read.

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Supporting Offenders with Learning Disabilities

Events

Our consultation events are an opportunity for professionals from across the criminal justice sector and service users with lived experience to share their knowledge and experience on a variety of complex issues.

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Publications

We are developing a comprehensive pack of resources including guidance for professionals, and easy read information for service users, intended to improve fair and equal access to the criminal justice system.

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Videos

Including keynote presentations from our events and conferences covering support in police custody, court, alternatives to forensic hospital detention, and support to comply with prison and community payback orders.


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Criminal Justice Pathway

Report from the Supporting Offenders with Learning Disabilities Network.

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This report seeks to inform and guide local and national planning and practice related to improving support for people with learning disabilities whose behaviour brings them into contact with the criminal justice system and to reduce offending by them.

Criminal Justice Pathway