News

Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill Consultation

The Scottish Government’s new LDAN Bill is currently out for consultation, and closes for responses on 21st April.  The Justice section (section 10) is of particular interest to SOLD

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SOLD Workshop: supporting people in the justice system

A workshop for all those supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and other communication support needs. Do you support someone at risk of arrest? Do you need to know how you can help people with communication needs in the justice system?

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

The second of two interconnected events took place on Wednesday 3rd April at Strathclyde University in Glasgow. Both events focused on the subject of harmful sexual behaviour and young people with additional support needs, and explored inclusive strategies for prevention and early intervention. They were organised in partnership between the SOLD Network, the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice, and the Scottish Transitions Forum.

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

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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