Mental health and wellbeing strategy: delivery plan 2023-2025

Priority 9

Strengthen support and care pathways for people requiring neurodevelopmental support^[2], working in partnership with health, social care, education, the third sector and other delivery partners. This will ensure those who need it receive the right care and support at the right time in a way that works for them.

Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9

Challenges and opportunities:

• Stigma and discrimination
• Delivering supports and services
• Primary and community care
• Workforce
• Benefits of investing

Key area of focus

Over recent years, there has been a significant increase in children and adults seeking a diagnosis and requiring support, including mental health support, for their neurodivergence or neurodevelopmental needs. We know that some people, such as those with learning disabilities, are more likely to experience health problems, including impacts on their mental health.

Neurodivergence and learning disabilities are not ‘mental health’ conditions, but they are included because the workforce for these conditions and pathways to care operate mainly within the mental health landscape and will straddle across both the core and wider mental health and wellbeing workforce.

We will take a range of actions to ensure that we understand the workforce required and the support that workforce need to provide support to people with neurodiversity and learning disabilities. Actions that are key to this will also be included in our Workforce Action Plan.

Outcomes

• The overall mental health and wellbeing of the population is increased and mental health inequalities are reduced.
• People with mental health conditions, including those with co-existing health conditions experience improved quality and length of life, free from stigma and discrimination.
• People have an increased knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing and how to access appropriate support.
• Communities are better equipped to act as a source of support for people’s mental health and wellbeing, championing the eradication of stigma and discrimination and providing a range of opportunities to connect with others.
• We adopt a ‘mental health and wellbeing in all policies’ approach to facilitate cross-policy actions that more effectively address the wide-ranging social, economic and environmental factors that impact people’s mental health and wellbeing, including poverty, stigma, discrimination, and injustice.
• Comprehensive support and services that promote and support people’s mental health and wellbeing are available in a timely way that meets and respects individual needs.
• Mental health policies, support, care, and treatment are better informed and shaped by people with lived experience of mental health issues and staff practitioners, with a focus on high quality provision that is recovery orientated.
• The mental health and wellbeing workforce is diverse, skilled, supported and sustainable.

Strategic Action 9.1: We will work with education, NHS boards, the third sector and other delivery partners to strengthen support, care and treatment pathways across the lifespan for neurodiverse children, young people and adults.

9.1.1 Consider the implementation of the recommendations in the 2023 scoping report, including the development of local stepped care pathways, and the development of an adult National Neurodevelopmental Service Specification, to help improve access to supports and diagnosis for neurodivergent adults.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT), HSCPs

9.1.2 Host a neuro-affirming Community of Practice Event in October 2024 and regional Community of Practice Events between November 2023 and March 2024.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government NAIT, HSCPs

9.1.3 Support the work of the Adult Neurodevelopmental Specification working group which was established in September 2023.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government NAIT, HSCPs

9.1.4 Finalise guidance and professional learning materials by March 2024 (based on research carried out in 2022/23 about neuro-inclusive practice in training, recruitment and employment for health and education professionals).

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government NAIT, HSCPs

9.1.5 Continue to work with children and young people with neurodevelopment support needs, their families and organisations that represent them, to ensure services understand and take account of needs in the delivery of services. Review learning from implementing the Neurodevelopmental Service Specification: Principles and Standards of Care to date, ensuring it meets the needs of service users and that resources required to deliver the specification are fully understood, updating and implementing the specification as appropriate.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government/COSLA NHS Boards, HSCPs, local authorities

9.1.6 Improve understanding of the mental health and wellbeing needs of neurodiverse people across the life course and explore new models of support.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government NHS Boards, HSCPs, local authorities

Strategic Action 9.2: We will take action to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people with learning/intellectual disabilities and that they are empowered to live their lives, just like anyone else.

9.2.1 Roll out annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities across all NHS Boards, with all adults with learning disabilities offered a health check by end of March 2024.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government NHS Boards

9.2.2 Establish an effective monitoring system to understand health needs emerging from these checks, including setting up a data management group by November 2023 to be operational during the life of this Delivery Plan.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government HSCPs, PHS

9.2.3 Establish a network for input from local HSCPs by autumn 2023 to share best practice and information about local delivery models, and identify barriers and share solutions.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government HSCPs

9.2.4 Launch a Changing Places Toilets Fund by the beginning of 2025 to increase the number of these facilities across the country and to support mobile Changing Places Toilets to allow people easier access to events and outdoor venues.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government Third sector organisations, communities

Strategic Action 9.3: Scottish Government will consult on and advance proposals to enshrine a human rights-based approach to providing support for neurodevelopmental needs in legislation.

9.3.1 Develop and deliver a consultation by the end of 2023 on a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill, with the voices of neurodiverse people and people with learning disabilities at the centre.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government