Scottish Liberal Democrats Debate: Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill

Adam Harley S7M-01739 That the Parliament calls on the Scottish Government to introduce a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill to the Parliament. Further details available for S7M-01739 Maree Todd S7M-01739.2 As an amendment to motion S7M-01739 in the name of Adam Harley (Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill), leave out from “introduce” and insert “significantly improve the support available for people who are neurodivergent, people who have a learning disability and people who are autistic; agrees that support across the country is too varied and inconsistent and recognises that there must be a direct focus on reducing waiting lists for neurodivergence assessments, recognising diagnostic pathways, improving accountability, more transparent capture and collation of data and ensuring better support is offered through Scotland’s education system; acknowledges a number of recent measures introduced by the Scottish Government, including £7.6 million for neurodevelopmental support for children and adoption of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ 4-level pathway for neurodevelopmental support for adults, which will ensure differential diagnosis and prescribing capabilities for psychiatric support and referrals for autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions; notes the importance of ensuring that the views shared by people with lived experience are key to driving Scotland’s approach and recognises the impact of the Bill consultation period on the LDAN community, as well as the need to rebuild confidence and trust with people to ensure that their voices and views continue to shape reform; affirms that third sector and community groups supporting people and their families must be properly resourced; agrees that changes that can happen much faster now for people through policy reform, service improvement and targeted investment must be pursued, but recognises that the opportunity for introducing a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill to the Parliament should continue to be an option in the current Parliamentary session if improvements are not comprehensively made.” Further details available for S7M-01739.2 Joe Long S7M-01739.1 As an amendment to motion S7M-01739 in the name of Adam Harley (Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill), insert at end “; notes the time and expertise contributed by people with lived experience, support professionals and stakeholders to the development of the proposed Bill over several years, and agrees that urgent action to meet the needs of these communities can be delivered alongside legislation that puts sustainable, systemic change on a statutory footing.” Further details available for S7M-01739.1 Helen McDade S7M-01739.3 As an amendment to motion S7M-01739 in the name of Adam Harley (Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill), insert at end "; recognises that immediate measures can be taken in the meantime, to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodiversity, and believes that the process of introducing new legislation is not a barrier to taking action in the short term." Further details available for S7M-01739.3