The Scottish Government has pledged “immediate action” as it confirmed a route map for adult neurodevelopmental support will be published in the autumn.
In September it was revealed that as the Government published its Programme for Government the proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) bill was shelved.
Speaking to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, minister for mental wellbeing Maree Todd said the decision “was not taken lightly”.
She said the Scottish Government will take an alternative approach to the legislation to offer “immediate action”.
She continued: “We carefully considered all the views that were shared, and I appreciate that some people feel only legislation will bring the change required.
“However, presiding officer, the overarching theme from our engagement with people and the organisations that represent them is this: We need to see change right here and right now.
“Waiting several years while a bill passes through Parliament, I would argue, uses precious time that could be spent on immediate action.
“We therefore need to reassess our approach.”
Ms Todd said a draft route map for adult neurodevelopmental support will be published in the autumn.
Legislation should not be necessary, but the promised bill was sought to provide accountability for people who had been let down for decades, and what did they get? More waiting for breaks for family carers. Still no plan
The route map will set out a four-tier approach, based on recommendations from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, comprising public health, universal, targeted and intensive support based on individual need.
Ms Todd said that successful implementation of the route map will require a “whole-system, cross-sector” approach.
She continued: “Successful implementation requires a whole-system, cross-sector approach involving health boards, health and social care partnerships, the third sector, and people with lived and living experience.
“We will engage throughout implementation to consider a broad range of perspectives, our aim is for people to be able to access support as soon as needs are identified, regardless of their diagnostic status, ensuring diagnostic assessments are available where clinically appropriate or required.”
The minister also announced a further £600,000 of funding to improve support for autistic adults which she said will “help more people to access advice, support, and assessment where needed, including support while waiting (for) assessment.”
However, Scottish Labour MSP Joe Long criticised the Scottish Government’s decision to scrap the LDAN bill which he said aimed to “provide accountability” for those “let down for decades”.
There continues to be no real understanding that without a diagnostic pathway for many young people and adults, they simply will not be able to unlock support and we haven't heard anything on that
He said: “Neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities know a lot about waiting.
“Waiting years for assessment and diagnosis, waiting for truly inclusive education, waiting for adult support when they turn 18.
“Legislation should not be necessary, but the promised bill was sought to provide accountability for people who had been let down for decades, and what did they get?
“More waiting for breaks for family carers. Still no plan.
“Waiting for neurodevelopmental assessment support pathways promised years ago. Waiting for the coming home agenda identified in 2018.
“Waiting five years for a promised bill that never arrived.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs said he believes the Scottish Government have “got this wrong.”
He said: “I think the Government has got this wrong, and I think that’s quite clear from what we’ve already heard.
“There continues to be no real understanding that without a diagnostic pathway for many young people and adults, they simply will not be able to unlock support and we haven’t heard anything on that.
“We need to see progress during this session of Parliament, and perhaps the Human Rights Bill will be what cross-party will have to look to work on.”