Learning disabilities: Coming Home Delivery Group:September 2026

Attendees and apologies

Apologies:

• Representative from North Lanarkshire
• Representative from Renfrewshire
• Representative from West Lothian
• Representative from Western Isles
• Representative from Forth Valley
• Representative from North Ayrshire

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

The Chair welcomed members to the inaugural meeting of the Delivery Group and outlined the purpose of the group in supporting implementation of the Coming Home Action Plan. Members were encouraged to contribute local experiences, challenges and solutions. The meeting transcription process was explained and agreed. 

Members were reminded that the group had been established following publication of the Coming Home Action Plan. Each HSCP had been asked to nominate a senior representative with sufficient authority to support local delivery and strategic leadership. The group will focus on specific workstreams at each meeting while maintaining oversight of wider implementation activity. 

The Chair highlighted: 

• ongoing Housing Options Scotland roadshows
• launch of the Coming Home Housing Brokerage Service
• the importance of engaging with available housing support and expertise

 

Policy update

Governance arrangements

An update was provided on governance arrangements. The Strategic Oversight Group will meet for the first time on 22 October 2026 and will provide national oversight, challenge and escalation routes for delivery of the Action Plan. The Delivery Group will report into this structure. Membership includes representatives from: 

• Scottish Government
• COSLA
• Social Work Scotland
• National Social Work Agency
• Chief Officers
• Independent Living Fund Scotland
• Lived Experience Hub
• Coalition of Care and Support Providers Scotland (CCPS)
• Scottish Care

Advisory involvement will also include: 

• Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC)
• Mental Welfare Commission
• National Care Service Advisory Board

Independent Living Fund Scotland (ILF) Coming Home Fund

An update was provided on the £20 million Coming Home Fund administered by Independent Living Fund Scotland. Key points included: 

• applications opened in August 2026
• 18 completed applications had been received from 13 local authorities

 applications covered: 

•  7 people in hospital
•  6 people in inappropriate out-of-area placements
• 5 people at risk of support breakdown

The first award had been approved and enabled an individual to move into their accommodation

Members were encouraged to submit further applications and to engage early with ILF staff for advice and support. It was highlighted that the original criteria requiring people to be able to move within the next three months no longer applies. Members were reminded that people on the Dynamic Support Register in the red category may not automatically meet the eligibility criteria for the Coming Home Fund and local areas were encouraged to discuss potential applications with ILF at an early stage.

Discussion on ILF fund

Members shared local experiences. Key issues raised included:

• the value of early discussions with ILF before submitting applications
• challenges associated with funding adaptations prior to formal awards
• concerns around funding for shared living models and whether these would meet ILF criteria
• difficulties relating to financial guardianship arrangements and payment mechanisms
• the importance of ensuring flexible use of the fund to support the Coming Home cohort

There was discussion regarding individuals in shared living arrangements and concerns that some applications may be rejected where people do not hold individual tenancies. Members stressed the need to ensure this does not create barriers to discharge. Members were encouraged to continue to contact ILF about these types of applications as it is important to record this type of need.

Dynamic Support Register (DSR) review

An update was provided on the Dynamic Support Register Review Working Group. The review will refresh and update existing guidance and produce publicly available guidance and supporting materials. Publication of revised guidance is anticipated in early 2027 following completion of the review process.

Discussion on DSR eligibility

Members raised concerns regarding the exclusion of:

• people in forensic settings
• autistic people without a learning disability
• children and young people in transition

It was noted that these issues are recognised within the Coming Home Action Plan and will be considered through future workstreams.

 

Dynamic Support Register data update

A review of March 2026 national DSR data was presented. Key trends included:

• reduction in people categorised as urgent
• reduction in delayed discharges
• reduction in inappropriate out-of-area placements
• reduction in the number of individuals who had spent more than 10 years in hospital

Members discussed:

• the importance of consistent application of DSR categories
• variation in local interpretation of criteria
• the value of using local management information to understand trends and outcomes
• the need to focus on outcomes for individuals rather than solely on numerical reductions

It was agreed that DSR data will become a standing agenda item for future Delivery Group meetings.

 

Inpatient redesign workstream

Findings from the national inpatient redesign workstream were presented.

Main findings included:

• Scotland currently has approximately 112 learning disability assessment and treatment beds
• around half of beds were reported as not functioning primarily as assessment and treatment services
• there is significant variation in bed provision across Scotland
• there appears to be scope for further redesign and reinvestment towards community-based alternatives

A draft national Vision Statement was presented and discussed. Key themes included:

• hospital is not a home
• people should only be admitted where there is a clear clinical need
• community-based alternatives should be developed wherever possible
• long-term institutional care should be avoided
• future bed provision should reflect genuine assessment and treatment requirements

 

Discussion

Members broadly welcomed the Vision Statement and supported its emphasis on:

• human rights
• community-based support
• independence and inclusion
• appropriate and time-limited use of hospital care

Several members emphasised:

• the need to ensure access to specialist assessment and treatment beds when clinically required
• the importance of regional collaboration and commissioning arrangements
• the need to redesign community support alongside inpatient services
• variations in local circumstances and geography

Examples from Fife, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, East Ayrshire and Highland were shared to illustrate local redesign activity and successful approaches.

 

Actions agreed

• members to continue identifying and submitting applications to the ILF Coming Home Fund
• applications should continue to be submitted where local areas believe support is required, including shared living arrangements where appropriate
• a list of local DSR contacts will be circulated
• members to confirm or amend local contact details
• consideration to be given to whether amber monitoring categories should be reported more formally
• feedback and examples of local good practice and local definitions to be shared with the DSR Review Working Group
• issues relating to forensic populations, autistic people without a learning disability, and children and young people will be considered through future workstreams
• further engagement to take place between Tom Kelly and local areas to discuss implementation of the Vision Statement and local planning requirements
• further discussions to take place with COSLA and Scottish Government regarding final approval and publication arrangements
• members to provide comments on the terms of reference by email following the meeting

 

Date of next meeting

14 January 2027

The Chair thanked all attendees for their contributions and continued commitment to improving outcomes for people supported through the Coming Home programme.