Scotland’s recovery system was not built with women in mind. The evidence is clear — women face distinct and complex barriers to recovery, shaped by trauma, inequality, caring responsibilities and a lack of gender-responsive support. SRC has worked alongside women with lived experience, practitioners, researchers and national partners to explore six critical themes where the system is failing women and where it can do better. From children removed from their care to menopause, domestic abuse, gambling, the justice system and neurodiversity — this body of work captures what women told us, what the evidence shows, and what needs to change. This is not just research. It is a call to action.

Contents
Introduction p.2
Right-Based Approach and the Charter of Rights p.2
Theme 1: Women Who Have Had Their Children Removed p.4
Theme 2: Women’s Health, Menopause and Drug and Alcohol Harm p.9
Theme 3: Women, Domestic Abuse and Drug and Alcohol Harm p.13
Theme 4: Women, Gambling and Drug and Alcohol Harm p.19
Theme 5: Women, Drug and Alcohol Harm and the Justice System p.24
Theme 6: Women, Neurodiversity and Drug and Alcohol Harm p.29
Creating Conversation Guidance p.35

Each theme has been developed as a standalone document so that services, communities and local partners can explore the issues most relevant to them. Read one, read all seven— every theme offers evidence, lived experience insight and practical recommendations for change.

1. Children Removed
2. Menopause
3. Domestic Abuse
4. Gambling
5. Justice System
6. Neurodiversity
7. Residential Rehabilitation

The Creating Conversation Guidance sets out ten practical approaches for HSCPs, ADPs, services, recovery organisations and community groups — from cross-sector roundtables and workforce training sessions to community conversations and funding bids. It is a flexible tool that can be used as a standalone resource or integrated into existing strategic work such as ADP delivery plans, VAWG strategies and women’s health initiatives.

The Step-by-Step Guidance and Recording Tool walks facilitators through the full process of capturing and acting on learning from each theme — from planning your session and structuring discussion through to validating findings with lived experience and identifying immediate, partnership and long-term actions. It includes a ready-to-use learning template so nothing gets lost after the conversation ends.