Scottish Government has published its latest policy paper setting out proposals for a potential Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill, aimed at improving and strengthening how the rights of neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities are respected, protected and fulfilled across Scotland.
The paper brings together work from the 2023-24 public consultation, and further engagement carried out throughout 2025, including input from advisory panels made up of people with lived experience, alongside third sector organisations and service providers.
Locally, CVS Falkirk & District’s Health and Wellbeing Forum contributed to the 2024 consultation; further information on this is available below.
The document reflects the current stage of policy development, and does not commit any future government to specific legislative changes. Instead, it is intended to support transparency and ongoing discussion ahead of further decisions following the next Scottish Parliament election. The Bill remains in development, subject to decisions by a future Scottish Government.
Following feedback that any new legislation should avoid adding unnecessary complexity, proposals have been refined to focus on measures considered to be the most meaningful, deliverable and sustainable.
The potential Bill is being developed within a wider programme of rights-based work, with the aim of strengthening existing systems rather than duplicating them.
The current draft proposals include:
- Clear definitions: introducing a statutory definition of “neurodivergence” in Scots law
- Strategic planning: requiring a national strategy alongside local delivery plans
- Mandatory training: ensuring key public sector staff (including health, social care and justice) receive appropriate training
- Improved data: strengthening data collection to better inform services and outcomes
- Advocacy rights: expanding access to advocacy for people within the Bill’s scope
- Complex care oversight: formalising local support registers and introducing national oversight
- Justice system support: improving identification of communication support needs within justice settings
Some areas, including enhanced accountability measures, are still under consideration.
The proposals build on a wide range of consultation responses, including input from CVS Falkirk & District’s Health and Wellbeing Forum, which contributed to the original consultation in 2024.
The Forum highlighted the importance of a rights-based approach, improved access to advocacy, and better coordination of services – priorities which are reflected in the current direction of the Bill.
The minutes of this meeting are available to view via the CVS Falkirk & District website, along with the compiled responses from members.
Further information on the forum, including upcoming meetings, is available on the dedicated page (linked for your convenience).
The policy paper outlines Scottish Government’s current thinking, and will help inform further engagement and development. All proposals remain subject to change, including detailed legal assessment and Ministerial decision-making, depending on whether a future government chooses to take the Bill forward.
If progressed, the LDAN Bill has the potential to play a significant role in shaping more inclusive, responsive and rights-based support systems for neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities across Scotland.
For further information, please visit the Scottish Government website (linked for your convenience).
Leave a Reply