Chapter 1. Introduction
One of the recommendations in The same as you? review of services for people with learning disabilities is: Health boards and local authorities should agree to appoint local area coordinators for learning disabilities from current resources used for managing care and coordinating services. The Scottish Government remains committed to the implementation of the recommendations of this report and sees local area coordination ( LAC) as one of the key components. Local area coordination not only has the potential to increase inclusion and independence and improve people's quality of life, but also to reduce health inequalities for this population.
Since the publication of The same as you? local area coordination has been developed to varying degrees across Scotland. The findings of an evaluation of implementation in Scotland were published in 2007 and demonstrated clear, positive outcomes for individuals and their families.
"When I'm with my local area coordinator, it's about me. My LAC understands how I am and helps me to do things for myself and be more independent. I have been able to go to places and try new things that I would never have done before I met my LAC. Everybody like me should be able to have a LAC."
It also identified the need for further national guidance to inform a consistent approach to development of local area coordination across Scotland. This guidance responds to that recommendation and also shows how local area coordination can help support the shift towards self-directed support for individuals in receipt of services.
In some areas we are beginning to see the limiting of resources and support services to only those with substantial care needs. This approach has the risk of stalling implementation of The same as you? and increasing the incidence of people reaching a crisis and needing substantial support. The long-term benefits of preventative approaches have been well established and this guidance demonstrates how local area coordination is a cost-effective, preventative means of getting quality outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
The substantial cost benefits of local area coordination are detailed in Chapter 7.