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

“Found networking with different sectors and support organisations useful”

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

Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020: information for supporting people with communication support needs

The Scottish Government has introduced emergency legislation to respond to the situation created by the current pandemic. This includes some changes to procedures in the justice system. If you are supporting a person who might be affected by these changes this brief information may be helpful.

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The Scottish police caution: do individuals with intellectual disabilities understand a verbally presented police caution, and can comprehension be improved?

Researchers at Edinburgh University recently published the above report on the accessibility of the police caution in Scotland.  The research was carried out with a sample of adults with learning disabilities, all of whom had no previous contact with the police, and therefore had not previously experienced the caution.  The report acknowledges that the sample was a relatively small one, and that the results should consequently be treated with a degree of cautiousness.  However, the results are quite striking, and should serve as further warning about the accessibility of the justice system in its entirety. 

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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