National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy - statement of intent: engagement analysis summary

Introduction

In the 2021 Programme for Government, Scottish Ministers committed to introducing Scotland’s first National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy in this Parliamentary term, to ensure there is a joined up approach so that all disabled young people can experience a positive and supported transition to young adult life. This was reaffirmed in the First Minister’s Policy Prospectus, published in April 2023.

In March 2023, an external strategic working group was set up to support the development of the strategy. This group, comprising key representatives of parents/ carers, the third sector, local authorities, education, employment, health and social care co-developed a statement of intent which set out the proposed vision, scope and priorities for the strategy. This was published on 28 September 2023.

Alongside the statement of intent, an online Microsoft Forms survey seeking feedback on the statement of intent from young people, parent/carers and others with a role or interest in transitions was also published. The survey was open between 28 September 2023 and 30 November 2023.

In total, there were 151 online survey responses, of which 144 were submitted via Microsoft Forms and 7 via email. In addition to the online survey, 9 engagement events were held (6 online and 3 in person) to seek feedback on the statement of intent. Table 1 and Table 2, which can be found in the Annex, provide the profile of respondents and events held.

In responding to the online survey via Microsoft Forms, participants indicated their agreement to their anonymous responses being shared in our published analysis of responses. Therefore, the quotes contained within this report are only from responses submitted via Microsoft Forms.

It is important to note that public consultation of this kind means anyone can express their views. This self-selection means the views of respondents do not necessarily represent the views of the wider population. However, the views which were received will contribute to future considerations and decisions on the development of the strategy.

For the purpose of producing this summary version, a list of the main themes which emerged from all the responses received have been presented, but only those which recurred in responses across 3 or more questions within the survey have been expanded on. Therefore, this summary report does not provide a full overview of all of the responses which were analysed and reported on; these are however detailed in the full report.

The Scottish Government would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our statement of intent through the survey, email or by attending - or facilitating - an engagement event.