Written Question · S2W-01893 · Session 2
What action it is taking to ensure that best practice in dealing with people with learning disabilities is shared amongst local authorities.
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that best practice in dealing with people with learning disabilities is shared amongst local authorities.
The answer
We are keen to ensuredissemination of best practice. The principles of The same as you? A reviewof services for people with learning disabilities, published by the Scottish Executive, give a lead on good practice, and thatdocument has a number of examples of good practice.
We have provided funding forthe establishment of the Scottish Consortium forLearning Disability. Part of the consortium’s remitis to:
· foster and develop best practice, and make it accessible. This isavailable from the consortium’s homepage (Good Practice in The same as you?) on its website at www.scld.org.uk Thisbrings together information on best practicefrom across Scotland for everyone, including local authorities.
· develop a skilled and confidentworkforce by improving training standards and providing training. Localauthority staff attend such training. Allthe consortium’s courses have peoplewith learning disabilities and family carers as co-trainers.
We have establishedthe Partnership in Practice Network,comprising representativesfrom local authorities and the NHS across Scotland. This meets on aregular three-monthly basis to discuss current issues and to share experience,and it provides a forum for exchanging and developing good practice.
We haveestablished the Scottish Social Services Council, whose function includes toraise the standard of practice and to promote the education and training of thesocial care workforce, including those working in local authorities.
We ran three majorconferences on learning disabilities in 2002, looking at best practice andexperience in learning disability databases, autistic spectrum disorders andhospital closures. These had significant attendance form local authorities acrossScotland.
We have provided funding forthe establishment of the Scottish Consortium forLearning Disability. Part of the consortium’s remitis to:
· foster and develop best practice, and make it accessible. This isavailable from the consortium’s homepage (Good Practice in The same as you?) on its website at www.scld.org.uk Thisbrings together information on best practicefrom across Scotland for everyone, including local authorities.
· develop a skilled and confidentworkforce by improving training standards and providing training. Localauthority staff attend such training. Allthe consortium’s courses have peoplewith learning disabilities and family carers as co-trainers.
We have establishedthe Partnership in Practice Network,comprising representativesfrom local authorities and the NHS across Scotland. This meets on aregular three-monthly basis to discuss current issues and to share experience,and it provides a forum for exchanging and developing good practice.
We haveestablished the Scottish Social Services Council, whose function includes toraise the standard of practice and to promote the education and training of thesocial care workforce, including those working in local authorities.
We ran three majorconferences on learning disabilities in 2002, looking at best practice andexperience in learning disability databases, autistic spectrum disorders andhospital closures. These had significant attendance form local authorities acrossScotland.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-01893 by reference.