When the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act came into force on 16 July 2024, Scotland took a historic step. The Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child described it as “the best piece of children’s rights legislation in the world”. It moved children’s rights from promise to legal duty. …
SCLD has been a participant in The Public Perception of Adult Social care project, based at the University of Stirling. Led by Richard Brunner and Jen Wallace its focus is on how adult social care and support is understood and how communication shapes support for long-term change. At its heart, social care support is about helping people live well. It …
SCLD Chief Executive Bruce Adamson recently took part in Eurochild’s annual conference which brought together children and young people, civil society organisations, public authorities, academics and child rights advocates from across Europe. The conference focused on many of the issues that sit at the heart of rights-based systems: participation, inclusion, disability, mental health, deinstitutionalisation, digital safety, poverty, protection and the need for stronger public services. The programme was co-moderated by …
Last week Bruce Adamson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities, gave evidence to the UK Commission on the Right to Food as part of a panel on legislation and the roadmap towards a right to food in Scotland. The discussion explored how Scotland could move from warm words and policy commitments to enforceable rights, practical …
The UK Supreme Court has overturned the Cheshire West approach to deprivation of liberty for people deemed to lack the capacity to consent to their care and living arrangements. In 2014, the P v Cheshire West and Chester Council & Anor [2014] UKSC 19 (‘Cheshire West’) ruling established that if a person is subject to ‘continuous supervision and control’ and …
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Scotland. A new Parliament has the opportunity, and responsibility, to work with and for people with learning disabilities to deliver change that has been long promised, but not yet realised. As I take up my role as Chief Executive of The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD), I do so at a moment of genuine …
The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) Board of Trustees is looking for new trustees who can help make Scotland a fairer place where people with learning disabilities live full, safe, loving and equal lives. This is a pivotal and exciting moment for our organisation. As we approach our 25th anniversary, SCLD is proud of its history, its values and its contribution to improving …
The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) has today announced that the former Children and Young People’s Commissioner of Scotland, Bruce Adamson, has been appointed as its new Chief Executive. Bruce Adamson is an internationally recognised human rights lawyer with 30 years’ experience working with communities in over 20 countries to advance legal and policy reform. He brings …
Leading The Change: How women with learning disabilities are shaping systems in gender-based violence Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate progress, honour resilience, and confront the injustices that continue to shape women’s lives. One of the most overlooked of these injustices sits at the intersection of gender‑based violence and learning disabilities. When we talk about violence against women, …
SCLD has launched a new 12 Point Plan for Change setting out key priorities for the next Scottish Government. The plan has been shaped by the voices and experiences of people with learning disabilities and has support from 18 of our partner organisations across the third sector. As a central priority, the plan asks the next Scottish Government to bring forward an LDAN Bill. The LDAN Bill represents a critical opportunity to address the systemic inequalities and barriers that …
