Following the death of Margaret Fleming’s murderer, SCLD believes it is more important than ever that we remember Margaret, and, pivotally, that the significant learning from the Remember My Name review is not forgotten. 

In the wake of Remember My Name, a welfare check was built into the Annual Health Check for Adults with Learning Disabilities. This is an important safeguard, but ensuring that people with learning disabilities are seen, heard and included in their communities takes more than processes alone. 

We must make sure that other recommendations from Remember My Name are taken forward. Importantly for SCLD, this includes ensuring that people with learning disabilities and their families have a voice in policy development.  

As Scotland heads into a period of significant public service reform, this is more important than ever.  

No reform affecting people with learning disabilities should be designed without them.  

People with learning disabilities are experts in their own lives. Participation is not an act of charity, and it is not something to add once important decisions have already been made.  

Remembering Margaret Fleming means ensuring that her legacy is one of change. 

“People in power need to be in our space to hear from us, to have their attitudes shaped by our experiences. We are the experts by experience. It needs to come from us, not from the people who work around us. We are the ones living this.”  

— Include For Good Rapporteur