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 and People First Scotland, 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

“Highlighted an area of weakness in working with young people with learning disabilities/ difficulties.”

Delegate at SOLD network conference

“Found networking with different sectors and support organisations useful”

Delegate at SOLD network conference

News

Children and young people in conflict with the law (Principles of Good Transitions 3 Supplement)

A publication to inform, structure and encourage the continual improvement of support for children and young people with additional support needs who are making the transition to young adult life.

"... for everyone who works with children and young people who are in conflict with the law or at risk of this. It is relevant to all settings and all organisations and services that play a part in children and young people’s lives." - Dr Gill Robinson, Youth Justice Improvement Board

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Supporting People’s Communication Needs Course

Developed in partnership with Community Justice Scotland this training course is for people working in the justice sector to enhance understanding of how to meet communication needs. The learning objectives are:

  • how to recognise when people need support
  • how to adapt communication styles
  • identifying good practice in your own area of work
  • identifying how other justice professionals adapt their practices to support communication needs

The course is free as part of the collaborative effort to make justice systems and processes more accessible for everyone who uses them.

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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