INFORMATION

INFORMATION

People First (Scotland)

Report on Parents with a Learning Disability

The Parent’s Group have been working for over a year with Arlene McGarty (Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory) to provide advice, information and recommendations for a report commissioned by the Scottish Government that explores what kind of support is available to parents with a learning disability.

The Parent’s Group have been campaigning for many years for better support for parents with a learning disability and this important report highlights the gaps in support across Scotland.  Responses were sought from all of Scotland’s local government social work services.  The response rate was low which in itself indicates a need for better awareness, training and support to parents across the country. You can read the Easy Read report by clicking on the hand symbol below.

‘Do you see me?’ Fife event Summer 2025

Members in Fife recently held an event in Kirkcaldy bringing together existing and new members. We named the event ‘Do you see me?’ reflecting the need to see us as a whole person and not just someone with a learning disability. Members planned the day, deciding on the topics and preparing and delivering presentations. We spoke about hate crime, human rights and our advocacy work in Fife. It was a great day and you can read more about it by clicking on the hand symbol below.

 

 

Equally Safe and Supported Toolkit

Members of People First (Scotland)’s Equally Safe Group have worked with the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) to design a toolkit to help staff and organisations who support women who have experienced gender-based violence. Our toolkit is all about making services better and easier for women with learning disabilities who have faced abuse. By helping to design this toolkit, we made sure the language is clear and the ideas are informed by lived experience. You can access the toolkit by clicking on the hand symbol which will take you to the Equally Safe and Supported website. If you have experienced gender based violence and are looking for support then we have a list of numbers available to the left of this information.

 

 

Easy Read about Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Members of People First (Scotland)’s National Women’s Group and Fife Women’s Group have co-produced an Easy Read document about Commercial Sexual Exploitation with The Women’s Support Project . Members were pleased to have input into this important resource which describes what Commercial Sexual Exploitation is and provides information on where to get help and support. You can read the Easy Read by clicking on the hand symbol below.

 

 

External Evaluation

Members of People First (Scotland) recently took part in an external evaluation session with the Scottish Commission for people with a Learning Disability (SCLD). SCLD asked members about the work we do as part of the ‘Our Powerful Voice’ lottery funding and wrote a report.

The report showed how important our work is stating, ‘People First (Scotland) is more than just an organisation. It is a community of people with learning disabilities who are leading change, challenging injustice, and pushing for a more equal society.’ We are grateful to SCLD for their support in leading this evaluation session. You can read the report by clicking on the hand symbol below.

 

 

People First (Scotland) summary response to the Adults with Incapacity Consultation

People First (Scotland) provided a detailed response to Scottish Government’s proposals to make changes to the Adults with Incapacity Act. This is the legislation that allows people with a learning disability to be placed under a Guardianship order. This removes our legal right to make our own decisions. We have campaigned for many years to replace Guardianship with a system of Supported Decision-Making where we have the support we need to make our own decisions. We do not think the proposed changes go far enough in meeting our rights. You can read our summary response by clicking on the hand symbol below. If you would like to read our longer response, please get in touch.

COUNTDOWN TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S
COMING HOME DEADLINE

The Scottish Government promised to ‘significantly reduce’ long hospital stays and out-of-area residential placements for people with learning disabilities or complex needs by March 2024.

That deadline has been and gone without the commitment being met. We are disappointed by the lack of progress and we call on national and local government to act now.

We ask the Scottish Government to abolish substitute decision-making and establish supported decision-making across Scotland, realising and respecting our human rights to independent and family life. Read more about what needs to happen by clicking on the hand symbol below.

People First (Scotland) response to the LDAN Bill Consultation

Members of People First (Scotland) have worked incredibly hard over the last few months looking at the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill Consultation. We have campaigned for a new law for Learning Disability for many years. We do not think the proposals in the Bill are strong enough to fully realise our Human Rights. You can read our Easy Read Summary response by clicking on the hand symbol below.

A New Law for People with Learning Disabilities

In 2023 People First (Scotland) developed our film about the new Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill. We have been campaigning for a new law for learning disability for over 20 years. In the film we share our key messages and set out what we want to see in the new Bill so that our Human Rights are fully realised and upheld in Scottish Law.

 

 

Report on Gender-Based Violence

People First (Scotland) and the Scottish Commission for people with Learning Disabilities have written a report called ‘Unheard, Unequal, Unjust – But not hidden anymore : Women with Learning Disabilities experience of Gender-Based Violence in Scotland.’

The report is difficult to read as it talks about the level of abuse that women with a learning disability experience throughout their lives. We will continue to raise awareness and campaign for an end to violence against women with a Learning Disability. You can read the report by clicking on the hand symbol below.