Working together towards a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill: partial equality impact assessment

Partial Equality Impact Assessment

Title of policy

Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill

Summary of aims and desired outcomes of policy

Current proposals for an LDAN Bill aim to ensure that the rights of neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities are better respected, protected and championed. This is in recognition of the poorer outcomes experienced by these groups of people.

The key LDAN Bill proposals include the following:

Reach and definitions: introduce a statutory definition of ‘neurodivergence’ in Scots law which describes the groups of people within the Bill’s reach.

Strategic planning: introduce a duty to publish a national learning disabilities and neurodivergence strategy as well as local delivery plans.

Mandatory training: introduce a duty requiring mandatory training for relevant staff in key public bodies, including at least health, social care and justice services.

Data improvements: introduce a regulation making power to enhance data collection to improve service and policy design and delivery, to support better outcomes.

Advocacy and support: ensure a broad right of access to advocacy for everyone within the Bill’s reach.

Enhanced accountability: a policy position on accountability is not yet settled due to broader contexts.

Complex care and delayed discharge: place the existing local Dynamic Support Registers on a statutory footing and introduce a new national oversight panel.

Identification of communication support needs within justice settings: introduce a duty on justice agencies to seek to identify communication support needs that may be the result of a learning disability or neurodivergence.

Directorate: Mental Health

Division: Complex Care and Rights

Team: Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill Unit