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

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

Delegate at SOLD network conference
Practice guide for Support Staff

News

Practice Guide for support staff: people with communication support needs in the Scottish criminal justice system

This is the second edition, updated from October 2017. It has been produced by SOLD in consultation with partners in Police Scotland, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Prison Service, NHS, Law Society of Scotland, Scottish Legal Aid Board, Social Work, Independent Advocacy and the voluntary sector.The guide aims to help support staff working with a person with communication support needs who find themselves in the criminal justice system. It provides information about how they can 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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Harmful sexual behaviour and young people with additional support needs

The first of two interconnected events took place on Monday 4th February at Norton Park Conference Centre in Edinburgh. Both events focus 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 being organised in partnership between SOLD, the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice, and the Scottish Transitions Forum.

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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