Hansard

I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this debate and to follow a number of very impressive contributions on the quality of life of people with learning disabilities. For most of us, learning is an essential part of life, but for many adults in Scotland—27,000, to be exact—it is something that can be difficult, if not impossible. That is because they have a learning disability. It is often a lifelong condition that starts before adulthood and it can mean that they need help and support to understand information, learn new skills and cope with living independently.

Dennis Robertson, who has just spoken so eloquently, reminded us that this debate is about individual people. Unfortunately, at every stage of the lives of people with a learning disability through to old age, they face discrimination and barriers that prevent them from living their lives to the full.

Margaret McCulloch spoke about the role that the Parliament has played in addressing social exclusion and the way in which human rights are woven into the fabric of this institution. The barriers that people face in their lives should not and need not exist. I firmly believe—I know that, in this, I am joined by my colleagues across the chamber—that society is judged on how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens. Surely those who have a learning disability should enjoy the same rights to employment, housing, education and healthcare as the rest of us. They should be at the heart of society, not outside it.

Margaret McCulloch spoke about the European dimension, and the United Nations has the same belief. Its “Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons” makes the point, saying that they must be given the chance to enjoy a decent life that is as normal and full as possible. However, according to Enable Scotland, the country’s largest voluntary organisation for people with learning disabilities, fewer than one person in 20 in this category in this country are in employment, although that figure excludes those in sheltered workplaces such as Remploy.

There are a number of specific challenges around employment, so I was particularly pleased that the minister addressed the collaborative work with Skills Development Scotland, NHS boards and local authorities, all of which is designed to meet those challenges. We can all agree with the aspiration and ambition that are set out in the strategy—that people with learning disabilities, with appropriate support, are able to work in mainstream employment that is suitable to their skills and capabilities. The strategy focuses on helping people with learning disabilities to enter mainstream employment wherever possible.

That is surely the right approach, but there continues to be a role for supported businesses, which is why I welcome the Scottish Government’s independent review of Scotland’s supported businesses. I look forward to further action being taken to identify the obstacles and barriers that they face and the support that they need to transition from organisations that are dependent on grant funding to ones that can grow and prosper as viable commercial businesses or social enterprises.

A number of members mentioned the importance of education, and the strategy highlights a number of examples of good practice in that area. In Edinburgh, I am aware of the work of Enable Scotland, which is delivering the stepping up programme in five schools across the city—Boroughmuir high, Tynecastle high, Leith academy, Pilrig Park school and Drummond community high. Each year, Enable Scotland engages over 40 young people with learning disabilities from secondary 4 to S6 in Edinburgh schools. Those young people are supported in developing the skills and confidence to make a successful transition from school into employment or training. Enable Scotland provides on-going support to both trainees and employers to ensure their long-term success.

That project is part of a nationwide schools programme that is funded by Inspiring Scotland, which Enable Scotland has been delivering since 2009. It has supported more than 450 pupils who have learning disabilities to make positive transitions from school into employment, vocational training and apprenticeships.

Scotland’s colleges have been mentioned in the debate. They have a social obligation to the communities in which they operate and a duty to do all that they can to ensure that people with learning disabilities can access educational opportunities and fully participate in society. I was pleased to secure a meeting last year with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell, and the charities Enable Scotland and Learning Disability Alliance Scotland, which represented people with learning disabilities. Along with my parliamentary colleagues Jackie Baillie and Joan McAlpine, we discussed the provision of courses and student numbers across Scotland. Joan McAlpine mentioned the further discussions that she has been involved in with the cabinet secretary and those charities. As a result of all that activity, the Scottish Government has listened and taken steps to ensure that the colleges’ outcome agreements reflect the needs of people with learning disabilities. That is being backed with additional resources.

Bob Doris and Stewart Maxwell emphasised the importance of gathering good data and measuring trends on unnecessary deaths, health outcomes and the allocation of social work resources. Bob Doris spoke about including an indicator in the general practitioner contract, and Joan McAlpine spoke about the need for longer appointments for people with learning disabilities. I hope that the minister will take on board both those constructive suggestions.

In a briefing to members, Enable Scotland said that the collection of data represents “a clear opportunity”. It stated:

“we are hopeful that the Scottish Government and other partners will capitalise on this opportunity to support the monitoring of the achievement of the objectives of the Keys to Life.”

We can all endorse that.

Malcolm Chisholm spoke about the important role of independent advocacy services. I echo his concern that 2018 appears at least at first glance to be a very long-term timescale for agreeing an action plan that involves all the key stakeholders and the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance. I also welcome his advertisement for the event that I will host in the Parliament on Thursday this week.

No political party has a monopoly of concern for people with learning disabilities, and no Government of any political complexion in Scotland or the UK has done enough to address the needs and concerns of that important and marginalised group. I welcome the leadership that the minister is providing, whole-heartedly support the strategy, and look forward to further action on behalf of people with learning disabilities.

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