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 …
SCLD welcomes the publication of the Scottish Government’s new Coming Home Action Plan and the announcement of a £20 million funding commitment to support implementation. The new plan seeks to address the outstanding recommendations from the Coming Home Implementation Report, and identifies further actions to greatly reduce inappropriate out-of-area placements and delayed discharges for people with learning disabilities and complex needs. The plan recognises that despite significant effort and commitment, at all levels, the number of people in inappropriate settings has not been reduced in line …
The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s publication of the draft policy provisions for the proposed Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill (the LDAN Bill). Lorne Berkley, SCLD’s Strategic Lead: Policy and Rights, said: “We are pleased the Government has published the draft provisions ahead of the Parliamentary Elections in May. This is …
Could you be our next Chief Executive? 📍 Glasgow (flexible working considered) 💷 Salary up to £70,000 🗓 Applications close: 18 February 2026 The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) Board of Trustees is looking for an inspiring new Chief Executive who will help make Scotland a fairer place to live, where people with learning disabilities can enjoy full, safe, loving and equal lives. In this role you will be responsible for delivering the vision, mission, strategy and operational activity of SCLD in collaboration with people with learning disabilities, the committed SCLD Board of Trustees, the skilled staff team and our allies. Working collaboratively, you will bring your inspiration, vision, organisational skills and drive along with your core belief that people with lived experience are at the centre of everything we do. The Board wants to hear from people who are strong leaders, successful change makers and champions for marginalised people. This is a high-profile and influential position in an ambitious organisation and if you are a collaborative and visionary leader, then we would love to hear from you. For More Information and to apply please visit Chief Executive with Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities – Goodmoves Applications in the form of a tailored CV and covering letter, highlighting your skills and experience pertinent to the role, should be sent to ScotlandExecutive@LHH.com, …
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve had the joy of celebrating our Interim Chief Executive, Linda Mitchell, as she steps into a very well-earned retirement. There was plenty of warmth, laughter, and a few happy tears as we looked back on her 10 wonderful years with SCLD. From the RSA Fellowships to the Scottish Learning Disability Awards and the IASSID Conference and everything in between – Linda …
Rights. Equality. Inclusion. sets out SCLD’s priorities for building a Scotland where everyone with a learning disability can live a full, safe, loving, and equal life. Our priorities are evidence-based and have been shaped by people with learning disabilities, their families and the organisations that support them. We have identified four key areas we think will make the biggest difference in addressing the long-standing inequalities and discrimination people with learning disabilities experience: Human rights and law reform to tackle …
Hi! My name is Rachel and I’m SCLD’s Administration and Compliance Officer. Having only started this role last month, I am learning the ways of my role here at SCLD, supporting the team with their projects and leading my own tasks. The team at SCLD are very lovely, and I feel very welcomed to the team. When I spotted …
The historic policy of institutionalisation kept many people with learning disabilities on the margins of society. It isolated them from family and denied them everyday opportunities to participate in community life. In many cases, they were left vulnerable to neglect and abuse. Thankfully, the last 25 years have seen huge change: most people with learning disabilities now live in the …
For Scottish Housing Day, The Life I Want have written a blog to highlight our forthcoming work with Housing Associations to support inclusion and community participation of tenants with learning disabilities. The Life I Want is a member of SCLD’s Housing and Independent Living Group which is working to advocate for the right to adequate housing and independent living in …
