Disabled young people: National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy Strategic Working Group minutes - August 2024

Attendees and apologies

Alison Hunter, NHS Lothian, representing adult health

Anne-Marie Sturrock, Colleges Scotland

Beth Kirby, Scottish Government

Craig Peoples-Simpson, Skills Development Scotland

Eilidh Fulton, Scottish Funding Council

Elizabeth McBride, PAMIS

Gemma Richardson, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

James Fletcher, Association for Real Change (ARC) Scotland

Karen Robertson, Independent Living Fund Scotland

Marianne Scobie, Glasgow Disability Alliance

Marianne Tyler, The ALLIANCE Scotland

Michelle Wilson, Childrens Health Scotland

Paul Beaton, Scottish Government

Rachel Bell, Scottish Government

Sam Nicholson, Education Scotland

Suzanne Peaker, Scottish Transitions Forum Parent Carer Network

Tracey Francis, Association for Real Change (ARC) Scotland

Una Macfadyen, Independent expert, Children with Exceptional Healthcare Needs

Apologies

Claire Bannister, Universities Scotland

Claire Vekic, Colleges Scotland

Fergus McMillan, Skills Development Scotland

Fiona Burns, Scottish Funding Council

Fran Foreman, Education Scotland

Gavin Cobb, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Jenny Miller, PAMIS

John Urquhart, COSLA

Kirsty Conlon, Universities Scotland

Laura Kerr, Social Work Scotland

Items and actions

Welcome and review of previous meeting minutes and actions

RB welcomed attendees and noted apologies. RB outlined the previous meeting’s actions, and the meeting agenda and outcomes were shared:

• provide an engagement update;
• review the vision statement in the context of Statement of Intent feedback, and identify possible changes.

Group updates

RB introduced Unit Head, PB, following the Transition Strategy team’s recent move to the Children’s Services Reform Unit. RB also highlighted:

• launch of a consultation on the support for care experienced young people becoming adults
• launch of a consultation on the legislative aspects of children services redesign

RB invited group updates.

• MT noted that the ALLIANCE are hosting three GIRFEC Gathering Insights events in September, in the West, South, and North, and requested the Group share with relevant networks.
• JF noted ARC Scotland’s forthcoming annual data report from Compass, which currently has approximately 1200 users.
• SN highlighted the forthcoming Young Carer’s Festival and the transitions sub-group of the National Complex Needs Network, who are keen to support the work on the Strategy.
• MW highlighted the “My Health, My Rights” Charter written by young people with a long term health concern or condition and research being undertaken by University College London relating to transitions.

Engagement Update

RB gave an update on the engagement activities between May - August noting that the engagement period will end on 9 August 2024 (including closure of the Group’s shared document for collating effective practice and improvement ideas for further comments). The Group was given an overview of some of the emerging themes, which included:

• the effectiveness of person-centred planning and key contacts for transitions;
• examples of positive use of existing policy, legislation and tools, such as Compass; and
• the benefits of services working in a joined up way.

JF commented on the prevalence of feedback around person-centred planning, and how crucial this is to good transitions, and KR noted that ILF’s work with young people has been positive in this space.

RB asked the group to consider what may be required to build confidence around person-centred planning amongst those with existing planning responsibilities. SN suggested Education Scotland’s Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities framework, including the development of a suite of training resources, could preset an opportunity to incorporate more information on person-centred planning within current education planning mechanisms.

MS updated the group that GDA have completed an event on behalf of the Scottish Government for young people and parents and carers. GDA will produce an engagement report to be included in the analysis of engagement activity.

UM raised several topics, such as the geographical influence on available services, parent/carer’s access to information, and the importance of education within adult services.

Review of vision statement

RB revisited the published vision statement, recapping on the background to its development which included input from the External Strategic Working Group and groups of disabled young people. Members considered the overall feedback on the vision statement from respondents to the Statement of Intent. The group acknowledged the strong support for the vision statement, with 86% of respondents either strongly agreeing, or agreeing it was correct for the Strategy.

The group was invited to provide reflections on the vision statement in light of the feedback. Some reflections included:

• use of the word “capacity” may require clarification, and when young people with complex needs are given the right support, they can communicate their wishes
• the inclusion of independent advocacy
• suggestion that the word “control” could be changed to “inform”
• the subjectiveness of “happy” and issues around reasonable responsibility for delivery, and measurement. Suggested replacement with “trust” (in transitions processes, supporting services, people etc.)

Members were invited to send any further reflections on the vision statement in the context of the feedback to DCYPtransitions@gov.scot by COP on Friday 23 August 2024.   

Next steps, any other business and close

RB highlighted the next meeting on 24 September 2024. The group considered the current aim of publishing the Strategy by the end of 2024, and discussed more time may be required in order to: robustly analyse the engagement activity between May- August 2024; contribute to draft iterations; and to publish in a range of accessible formats. Suggested alternatives in Spring 2025 were discussed, and the Group agreed communications to stakeholder groups to notify would be important.

Actions:

• MW to help make connections between SG officials and University College researchers.
• follow up meeting between SG officials, Education Scotland and ILF to discuss the principles of person-centred planning and ideas for promoting understanding of this amongst professionals.
• members to send any further reflections on the vision statement in the context of the feedback to DCYPtransitions@gov.scot by 7pm on Friday 23 August 2024. Officials to provide any specific detail of the feedback received from young people.