Nearly 400 people with learning disabilities and complex care needs across Scotland are set to benefit from a £20 million funding package aimed at helping them live in their own communities.
The investment will support the delivery of the Coming Home Action Plan, which focuses on reducing the number of people who remain in hospital longer than necessary or are placed far from home due to a lack of suitable local support.
The funding will be used for tailored care packages, home adaptations, specialist equipment and technology, helping people return to or remain in their communities close to family and friends.
The plan is being overseen by Tom Arthur, who represents Renfrewshire South at Holyrood.
He said: “Every day spent unnecessarily in hospital is time away from someone’s community, family and friends. We cannot allow people to spend longer in hospital than they need to or to stay far from home just because they have more intensive support needs.
“We are beginning to see progress. The latest data shows that fewer people are delayed in hospital or placed in care settings far from home – but there is more to do.
“I am pleased to see this £20 million funding bringing total investment in delivering the Coming Home agenda to £40 million since 2021. I thank Dr Anne MacDonald and partners for their commitment. Real change is delivered locally and this Action Plan, alongside additional investment, provides a strong framework for that.”
Latest figures show 391 people were classed as needing urgent support. Of those, 68 were delayed in hospital discharge, 28 were placed outwith their local area, and 187 were at risk of their current support arrangements breaking down.
Paul Kelly said: “We recognise the vital importance of ensuring that people with learning disabilities and complex needs spend no more time away from home than is absolutely necessary. COSLA remains fully committed to delivering the Coming Home Action Plan and to improving outcomes for the individuals and families we all serve.
“We have worked closely with the Scottish Government, Local Government, Integration Authorities, the NHS and Third Sector partners to develop the Action Plan and set out how we will jointly address these long standing issues. I am grateful for the significant commitment and time that all partners have invested in producing the Plan, which is published today. We now need to maintain that drive and collective focus as we move into delivery.
“Sustained, additional investment across the whole system will be crucial to ensuring that people with learning disabilities and complex needs can return home as quickly as possible.”
Dr Anne MacDonald added: “I’d like to thank colleagues across the sector for all their input to developing this Action Plan, which we hope will make a real difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and complex support needs.
“The Action Plan is focused on changes that will support people to live well in their local communities, to have choice and control about where they live, and to have their human rights upheld.”
The latest funding brings total investment in the Coming Home programme to £40 million since 2021, with further support expected to be delivered through the Independent Living Fund Scotland.
The Scottish Government said the move is part of wider plans to shift more care into local communities through the 2026-27 Budget.