Supporting Offenders with Learning Disabilities

SOLD

The Supporting Offenders with Learning Disabilities (SOLD) network is a national network committed to improving support for people with learning disabilities , or other significant communication difficulties, who are accused or convicted of committing a crime. Delivered in partnership with People First Scotland.

There are over 350 members of SOLD from a broad range of backgrounds including voluntary sector, Police Scotland, NHS, social work, Scottish Courts, Crown office and procurator Fiscal and Scottish Government.

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What people say

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

Delegate at Keys to Life stakeholder event

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

Delegate at SOLD network conference

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.

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SOLD Practice Guide for Support Workers

News

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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Appropriate Adults Consultation Event

SOLD supported the Scottish Government to co-host a workshop as part of their consultation on Appropriate Adult services in Scotland. The event was aimed specifically at people with learning disabilities and autism. We wanted to hear about people’s experiences of Appropriate Adult support, and their ideas for making it better in the future.

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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